Disparity in After-School Teacher Hourly Pay in Miaoli County; Councilor Chen Pin-an Urges Uniform Standard
Miaoli County Councilor Chen Pin-an highlighted on the 12th that the hourly pay for after-school teachers in junior high schools varies based on school size, urging a uniform standard of NT$540 per class to ensure fairness. County Magistrate Chung Tung-chin promised to review the policy.
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- 📰 Published: June 12, 2026 at 20:03
- 🔍 Collected: June 13, 2026 at 00:44 (4h 41m after Published)
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(CNA Reporter Kuan Jui-ping, Miaoli County, 12th) Democratic Progressive Party Miaoli County Councilor Chen Pin-an stated today that the hourly pay for after-school teachers in junior high schools within the county uses a "range system," which easily leads to differential treatment based on school size. She argued that a uniform standard should be established to protect teachers' rights, to which County Magistrate Chung Tung-chin promised to review.
During the general interpellation at the county council today, Chen Pin-an mentioned that various counties and cities have successively raised the "hourly pay for junior high school after-school care teachers." Currently, Hualien County, Pingtung County, Chiayi County, Hsinchu County, and Yilan County have all adopted a uniform standard of NT$540 per class, whereas Miaoli County ranges between NT$455 and NT$540.
Chen Pin-an explained that in urban areas or junior high schools with a larger number of students, the fees collected are sufficient to cover costs, giving teachers a better chance of receiving the NT$540 hourly pay. However, in small rural schools and schools in non-mountainous, non-urban areas, the lower number of participating students results in insufficient collected fees, meaning teachers only receive the minimum NT$455. She argued it is unreasonable for teachers doing the exact same work to face a pay gap simply due to school size, violating the principle of equal pay for equal work.
Miaoli County Government Education Department Director Yeh Hsin-hui stated that the after-school teacher hourly pay is paid by students' parents. When the fee standards were set, representatives from various types of school principals, teachers' associations, and teachers' industrial unions were invited to discuss. During the meeting, rural school principals reflected that considering the small number of students and their families' economic capabilities, the fee standard was adopted as a "range system" to give small schools flexibility.
Yeh Hsin-hui added that this fee standard provides schools with a guideline for the amount to charge parents; as for the teachers, schools can still use funds such as corporate donations to make up the difference.
Chen Pin-an pointed out that the expertise and time dedicated by teachers should not have different values based on their workplace or the number of students. She suggested the county government follow other counties and uniformly adjust the pay to NT$540 per class, ensuring that teachers receive consistent hourly pay regardless of which school they teach at.
In response, Miaoli County Magistrate Chung Tung-chin stated that if the fees were uniform, teachers in large schools or urban schools might feel it is unfair because they have to care for more students and grade more homework, which could be more complex and exhausting. Regarding how to make everyone accept the arrangement, he believes the principals should still be respected. He promised that after the meeting, the Education Department and various schools will further review the matter. If county funds are to be used to make up the difference, discussions with the finance and accounting units will also be required. (Editor: Liang Chun-ti) 1150612
During the general interpellation at the county council today, Chen Pin-an mentioned that various counties and cities have successively raised the "hourly pay for junior high school after-school care teachers." Currently, Hualien County, Pingtung County, Chiayi County, Hsinchu County, and Yilan County have all adopted a uniform standard of NT$540 per class, whereas Miaoli County ranges between NT$455 and NT$540.
Chen Pin-an explained that in urban areas or junior high schools with a larger number of students, the fees collected are sufficient to cover costs, giving teachers a better chance of receiving the NT$540 hourly pay. However, in small rural schools and schools in non-mountainous, non-urban areas, the lower number of participating students results in insufficient collected fees, meaning teachers only receive the minimum NT$455. She argued it is unreasonable for teachers doing the exact same work to face a pay gap simply due to school size, violating the principle of equal pay for equal work.
Miaoli County Government Education Department Director Yeh Hsin-hui stated that the after-school teacher hourly pay is paid by students' parents. When the fee standards were set, representatives from various types of school principals, teachers' associations, and teachers' industrial unions were invited to discuss. During the meeting, rural school principals reflected that considering the small number of students and their families' economic capabilities, the fee standard was adopted as a "range system" to give small schools flexibility.
Yeh Hsin-hui added that this fee standard provides schools with a guideline for the amount to charge parents; as for the teachers, schools can still use funds such as corporate donations to make up the difference.
Chen Pin-an pointed out that the expertise and time dedicated by teachers should not have different values based on their workplace or the number of students. She suggested the county government follow other counties and uniformly adjust the pay to NT$540 per class, ensuring that teachers receive consistent hourly pay regardless of which school they teach at.
In response, Miaoli County Magistrate Chung Tung-chin stated that if the fees were uniform, teachers in large schools or urban schools might feel it is unfair because they have to care for more students and grade more homework, which could be more complex and exhausting. Regarding how to make everyone accept the arrangement, he believes the principals should still be respected. He promised that after the meeting, the Education Department and various schools will further review the matter. If county funds are to be used to make up the difference, discussions with the finance and accounting units will also be required. (Editor: Liang Chun-ti) 1150612