Frequent Student Attacks on Teachers: Principals' Association Urges Lower Threshold for Compensation

(Central News Agency, Chen Zhizhong, Taipei, 10th) The Elementary and Secondary School Principals' Association stated today that incidents of teachers being attacked by students have been frequent in recent years. However, the vast majority of injured teachers do not apply for official condolence payments because the threshold is too high and the amount is too low to substantially compensate for physical and mental trauma. The association is calling on the government to amend the law.

The Republic of China Elementary and Secondary School Principals' Association issued a press release today. Chairman Chen Qingyi pointed out that incidents of teachers being attacked by students have been frequent in recent years. Cases collected by the association include a teacher being hugged and bitten hard by a student, causing extensive bruising or bleeding on the thigh; a student deliberately bumping into a teacher's mouth, causing the teacher's tooth to break; and a teacher's neck being strangled by a student, with the parents not apologizing but instead accusing the teacher of injuring the student by pushing them away.

Chen Qingyi stated that the association surveyed whether any violent incidents against educational personnel had occurred on campus in the past two years. A total of 90 schools responded, with most reporting such incidents, and 17 schools reporting more than 10 incidents.

Common types of injuries include scratches, bites, lacerations, contusions, bruises, swelling, sprains, strains, hair pulling, and being hit by objects such as desks, chairs, and teaching aids. Notably, 57 schools reported that teachers suffered mental or psychological trauma, including fear, anxiety, and insomnia.

Chen Qingyi pointed out that although the current "Regulations for the Issuance of Condolence Payments for Accidental Injuries or Deaths of Civil Servants in the Line of Duty" provides for condolence payments for injured teachers, most teachers do not apply. The reason is that the threshold is too high; only NT$3,000 is given after three treatments, which cannot substantially compensate for physical and mental pain. Many schools have to seek alternative compensation methods, such as principals paying out of their own pockets or parent-teacher associations providing condolences.

The Principals' Association calls on the government to amend the law. In addition to lowering the threshold for condolence payments and increasing the amount, it also calls for substitute teachers, part-time teachers, and teaching assistants to be included as protected individuals. It also suggests considering the establishment of separate regulations for educational personnel, decoupling them from civil servants. Furthermore, it calls for holding parents accountable to protect educational personnel from violent attacks. (Editor: Zhang Yajing) 1150610