Taiwanese Lawmakers and Civic Groups Hold Seminar Focusing on Digital Divide and School Lunch Issues

DPP Legislator Chang Ya-lin and others held a joint seminar with parent groups today to discuss how to use policy to shorten the digital divide in the AI era, as well as to focus on issues such as nutritious school lunches, and teacher staffing and treatment. They hope that central and local governments can work together to help parents solve problems and allow children to thrive.

Regarding the controversy over excessive lawsuits on campus, Deputy Minister of Education Chang-Liao Wan-chien, who was invited to the seminar, mentioned that after the new system for school affairs meetings was implemented, complaint cases have indeed decreased. With supporting measures such as diverting major and minor cases and not accepting anonymous complaints, the number of complaint cases entering school affairs meetings is only about 20% compared to last year.

DPP Legislators Chang Ya-lin, Wu Szu-yao, Fan Yun, Wu Pei-yi, and Shen Pao-yang, along with the Taipei City Elementary School Parents' Association Federation, held the seminar at the Legislative Yuan today. They discussed how to use policy to shorten the AI-era digital divide, what support and resources are most needed in inclusive education settings, whether free nutritious lunches could be centrally coordinated by the central government, and how to increase teacher retention and stabilize educational quality. Attending parents also expressed concerns about students' commuting environments.

Chang Ya-lin mentioned that improving the commuting environment for children and adolescents has always been one of her key issues. She noted that all sectors can see the 18 measures in President Lai Ching-te's 'New Strategy for Taiwan's Population Policy—Family Support Chapter,' which not only include subsidies but also family support, hoping to give parents more leeway in their lives and in caring for their children. In addition, she has also reflected to the Ministry of Labor that besides existing prenatal check-up leave and paternity check-up leave, a 'maternity preparation leave' is also very important.

Shen Pao-yang stated that regarding the AI gap, he believes the first principle for beginners should be equality, allowing everyone to use it. Therefore, at the elementary school stage, schools should procure the tools for classroom use, allowing students to be exposed to the latest AI operations in their school education. They should also understand the differences between various databases, algorithms, and free versus paid services.

Shen Pao-yang also said that to encourage teachers to stay, for instance in cases of disputes or conflicts between teachers and parents or teachers and students, the matter could be handed over to a third-party mediation mechanism for professional resolution.

Chang-Liao Wan-chien pointed out that the Ministry of Education places great importance on AI issues and has launched the 'AI Talent Ark Project' this year, with a planned budget of over NT$11.7 billion over four years. The National Academy for Educational Research has also published AI usage guidelines for teachers. Furthermore, teacher counseling and support systems have been established in all counties and cities, and the Ministry of Education will continue to supervise them.

In addition, Chang-Liao Wan-chien said that regarding lawmakers' concerns about teacher salaries, both hourly pay and homeroom teacher fees have been increased in recent years. As for the issue of significantly raising teacher salaries, although it is not within the Ministry of Education's authority, the ministry strongly advocates for it and has reflected this to the Executive Yuan. The Executive Yuan is working on it and should have a clear response this July.

As for nutritious lunches, a representative from the Ministry of Education mentioned that school lunches are a matter of local government autonomy. From a quality control standpoint, the Ministry of Education will supervise local governments in implementing related tasks according to the existing system.