Teacher Allowance Increased, Hualien Elementary and Middle School After-School Tutoring Fees Up 20%

In January this year, the Hualien County Teachers' Association had reflected that while the central government increased teacher hourly wages, after-school tutoring hourly wages were not simultaneously raised, creating an unreasonable situation where tutoring fees for overtime-like work were lower than regular working hours.

The Hualien County Government's Department of Education stated that after deliberation, they decided to first adjust the fees using the county budget, with the increase rate matching the central government's teacher and substitute teacher hourly wage hike of 20%. Junior high after-school tutoring fees will be raised from 450 NTD to 540 NTD; elementary school after-school tutoring fees will be raised from 400 NTD to 480 NTD.

The Department of Education stated that over 100 elementary and middle schools in Hualien offer after-school tutoring classes, funded by the Ministry of Education and the county government. In these classes, teachers guide students with homework, reading, and writing. The increase in hourly wages will help improve teacher retention rates for after-school programs, allowing frontline teachers to invest more passion into curriculum design and student care.

Today, the Hualien County Teachers' Association and the Hualien County Teachers' Professional Union issued a joint statement, affirming the Hualien County Government's active response to the voices of frontline teachers. However, a minor drawback is that teachers or childcare workers hired by the county government for county-affiliated junior high schools, elementary school kindergartens, and township-level kindergartens should also be included and not be treated differently.

Regarding the teachers' association's suggestions, the Hualien County Government responded that they will be incorporated into deliberations to ensure teachers' rights. (Editor: Chen Qingfang) 1150410