Teachers' Groups Worry Child Welfare Act Revision Suppresses Teaching Authority; MOHW Says It's Not Just for Schools
Educational groups are concerned that the proposed revision to Taiwan's Child and Youth Welfare Act, which clarifies forms of abuse, will suppress teachers' rights. The Ministry of Health and Welfare responded that the standards apply to all environments, including homes, and not just schools.
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- 📰 Published: April 22, 2026 at 16:11
- 🔍 Collected: April 22, 2026 at 16:31 (20 min after Published)
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Central News Agency
(CNA Reporter Shen Pei-yao, Taipei, 22nd) Educational groups worry that the revision of the "Child and Youth Welfare and Protection Act" to clarify forms of abuse may compress teaching authority. Chou Tao-chun, Director of the Social and Family Affairs Administration under the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW), stated today that the revision adopts the concepts of international conventions and its scope of application covers various environments such as families and cram schools, and that opinions from all sectors will continue to be collected.
The "Protection of Children and Youths Welfare and Rights Act" has not undergone a major revision for 15 years. The Social and Family Affairs Administration of the MOHW announced a draft revision yesterday, reflecting social issues of concern in recent years. The number of articles has significantly increased to 165, explicitly incorporating "physical violence, mental violence, and improper treatment" into the prohibited clauses, while also greatly relaxing the penalties.
However, the content of the draft has raised concerns among educational groups, who believe there are still many deficiencies. The National Federation of Teachers Unions (NFTU) issued a press release today pointing out that campuses are currently engulfed in a terrifying atmosphere of abusive lawsuits and magnifying small matters. The draft of the Child and Youth Welfare Act might "add fuel to the fire," further suppressing the working conditions and teaching space of teachers in the name of protecting children's rights.
Regarding the concerns of the educational groups, Director Chou Tao-chun told a CNA reporter this afternoon that the classification of improper treatment behaviors in the draft mainly quotes the international standards of the United Nations "Convention on the Rights of the Child" (CRC) and extends them into domestic law, which has a certain context.
Chou Tao-chun pointed out that the concerns and thoughts of teachers' groups are understandable, but looking back, the revision aims to create a positive environment for children and youth. The relevant regulations are not only aimed at campuses and school teachers but apply to all child and youth activity venues, including families, camps, and cram schools, all using the same set of criteria.
The draft is currently in the pre-announcement stage. Chou emphasized that the MOHW is willing to incorporate the concerns of teachers' groups and all sectors into general consideration when sorting out the articles later.
In addition, concerning the public's attention that the draft revision does not explicitly regulate the "standard of care obligation for social workers," which might blur the boundaries of professional responsibility, Chou stated that the discussions are mostly influenced by recent judicial rulings. However, the case is currently only a first-instance judgment, and whether it becomes a future judicial norm requires continued observation.
Chou said that the MOHW is actively engaging in discussions with the social work sector to deliberate on practical implementation and professional protection following the judicial rulings, seeking corresponding countermeasures. (Editor: Li Shu-hua) 1150422
(CNA Reporter Shen Pei-yao, Taipei, 22nd) Educational groups worry that the revision of the "Child and Youth Welfare and Protection Act" to clarify forms of abuse may compress teaching authority. Chou Tao-chun, Director of the Social and Family Affairs Administration under the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW), stated today that the revision adopts the concepts of international conventions and its scope of application covers various environments such as families and cram schools, and that opinions from all sectors will continue to be collected.
The "Protection of Children and Youths Welfare and Rights Act" has not undergone a major revision for 15 years. The Social and Family Affairs Administration of the MOHW announced a draft revision yesterday, reflecting social issues of concern in recent years. The number of articles has significantly increased to 165, explicitly incorporating "physical violence, mental violence, and improper treatment" into the prohibited clauses, while also greatly relaxing the penalties.
However, the content of the draft has raised concerns among educational groups, who believe there are still many deficiencies. The National Federation of Teachers Unions (NFTU) issued a press release today pointing out that campuses are currently engulfed in a terrifying atmosphere of abusive lawsuits and magnifying small matters. The draft of the Child and Youth Welfare Act might "add fuel to the fire," further suppressing the working conditions and teaching space of teachers in the name of protecting children's rights.
Regarding the concerns of the educational groups, Director Chou Tao-chun told a CNA reporter this afternoon that the classification of improper treatment behaviors in the draft mainly quotes the international standards of the United Nations "Convention on the Rights of the Child" (CRC) and extends them into domestic law, which has a certain context.
Chou Tao-chun pointed out that the concerns and thoughts of teachers' groups are understandable, but looking back, the revision aims to create a positive environment for children and youth. The relevant regulations are not only aimed at campuses and school teachers but apply to all child and youth activity venues, including families, camps, and cram schools, all using the same set of criteria.
The draft is currently in the pre-announcement stage. Chou emphasized that the MOHW is willing to incorporate the concerns of teachers' groups and all sectors into general consideration when sorting out the articles later.
In addition, concerning the public's attention that the draft revision does not explicitly regulate the "standard of care obligation for social workers," which might blur the boundaries of professional responsibility, Chou stated that the discussions are mostly influenced by recent judicial rulings. However, the case is currently only a first-instance judgment, and whether it becomes a future judicial norm requires continued observation.
Chou said that the MOHW is actively engaging in discussions with the social work sector to deliberate on practical implementation and professional protection following the judicial rulings, seeking corresponding countermeasures. (Editor: Li Shu-hua) 1150422