Association Reports 15 Principal Deaths in 5 Years, Urges Specialized Roles to Prevent Overwork

(Central News Agency reporter Chen Chih-chung, Taipei, July 16) The Association of Elementary and Secondary School Principals announced today that at least 15 principals across Taiwan have died in office over the past five years, mostly due to illness or acute health incidents. The association is urging the government to increase administrative personnel and establish dedicated organizations to manage large-scale events, to prevent principal overwork.

Lu Ping-shan, principal of Chung Cheng Senior High School in Kaohsiung City, passed away in his office on June 25 due to physical discomfort, sparking public concern. In a press release, the Association of Elementary and Secondary School Principals stated that at least 15 principals have died in office over the past five years. Principals work an average of over 12 hours per day, and remain on call throughout weekends to handle official duties or attend community and school events, placing them in a constant state of severe overwork with no ability to disconnect.

Chen Ching-i, president of the principals' association, pointed out that while the number of retiring principals has increased in recent years, the number of applicants for principal positions at the county and city levels has sharply declined. In some areas, retired principals or education bureau section chiefs are being asked to serve as acting principals for one to two years.

The association noted that although school sizes have decreased due to declining birthrates, ad hoc tasks from various government levels, legislators, and local figures have not decreased but increased. Complicated procedures for sudden campus safety incidents keep principals under 24-hour pressure. Moreover, anonymous accusations and unverified public trials fueled by online exposé culture have become the heaviest psychological burden for principals.

Solutions proposed by the association include increasing vice principals and dedicated administrative staff based on school size; mandating health checkups that include screenings for hypertension, heart disease, and cancer; establishing government-run specialized organizations to fully manage large-scale events; and forming legal consultation and professional support teams for principals in each county and city.

Chen emphasized that only by establishing a sound support system to end the pathological system that relies solely on 'steel willpower' can Taiwan's educational environment truly achieve sustainable development. (Edited by Lung Po-an) 1150716