Substitute Teachers Involuntarily Transferring Schools Can Now Receive Long-Service Bonuses; Ministry of Education Relaxes Criteria
Taiwan's Ministry of Education has relaxed the criteria for long-service bonuses for substitute teachers in remote areas. Service years can now be combined even if teachers involuntarily transfer schools, recognizing their contributions.
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- 📰 Published: April 30, 2026 at 17:23
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TAIPEI (Central News Agency reporter Chen Chih-chung) — The long-service bonus for remote areas was first distributed at the end of last year. Education groups found that some substitute teachers were unable to receive the bonus due to "involuntary school transfers" for specific reasons. The Ministry of Education recently explained that if the reasons are not attributable to the teacher, the criteria can be relaxed.
After the "Act for the Development of Education in Remote Areas" came into effect in December 2017, the "long-service bonus" was first issued in December 2025. A one-time payment of NT$150,000 is given for 8 years of service in extremely remote schools; NT$100,000 for 8 years in special remote areas; and NT$70,000 for 8 years in remote areas.
However, education groups such as the National Federation of Substitute and Part-time Teachers' Unions (Substitute Teachers' Union) reported that the system design did not consider the situation of substitute teachers on "one-year contracts," who are often forced to change schools due to a lack of vacancies. Even if teachers continue to dedicate themselves to remote areas, they cannot receive the long-service bonus because they changed schools.
The Ministry of Education today updated its "Q&A on the Issuance of Long-Service Bonuses for Principals and Teachers in Remote Areas." Q23-1 states that the purpose of the long-service bonus is to stabilize the teaching staff in remote areas. If a teacher's service in the original school was deemed excellent, and they failed to be selected in the original school's recruitment but took up a new position in another remote school, this is considered a reason not attributable to the teacher, and their service years can be combined.
The Substitute Teachers' Union issued a statement later today, pointing out that after jointly advocating with Democratic Progressive Party legislator Chen Pei-yu's office, the Ministry of Education has officially relaxed the criteria for the long-service bonus, broadly recognizing cross-school service due to involuntary factors.
The Substitute Teachers' Union affirmed the Ministry of Education's policy adjustment, stating that it not only rectified the unfairness of the original system towards substitute teachers but also substantially recognized the contributions of substitute teachers in the remote education network.
The Substitute Teachers' Union also called on all eligible substitute teachers to proactively inquire with their respective county/city government education bureaus and personnel units regarding bonus applications or retroactive payments. If they encounter obstacles during the application process, they can contact the union to ensure that the policy's good intentions are truly implemented for every grassroots teacher in remote areas. (Edited by Li Heng-shan) 1150430
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After the "Act for the Development of Education in Remote Areas" came into effect in December 2017, the "long-service bonus" was first issued in December 2025. A one-time payment of NT$150,000 is given for 8 years of service in extremely remote schools; NT$100,000 for 8 years in special remote areas; and NT$70,000 for 8 years in remote areas.
However, education groups such as the National Federation of Substitute and Part-time Teachers' Unions (Substitute Teachers' Union) reported that the system design did not consider the situation of substitute teachers on "one-year contracts," who are often forced to change schools due to a lack of vacancies. Even if teachers continue to dedicate themselves to remote areas, they cannot receive the long-service bonus because they changed schools.
The Ministry of Education today updated its "Q&A on the Issuance of Long-Service Bonuses for Principals and Teachers in Remote Areas." Q23-1 states that the purpose of the long-service bonus is to stabilize the teaching staff in remote areas. If a teacher's service in the original school was deemed excellent, and they failed to be selected in the original school's recruitment but took up a new position in another remote school, this is considered a reason not attributable to the teacher, and their service years can be combined.
The Substitute Teachers' Union issued a statement later today, pointing out that after jointly advocating with Democratic Progressive Party legislator Chen Pei-yu's office, the Ministry of Education has officially relaxed the criteria for the long-service bonus, broadly recognizing cross-school service due to involuntary factors.
The Substitute Teachers' Union affirmed the Ministry of Education's policy adjustment, stating that it not only rectified the unfairness of the original system towards substitute teachers but also substantially recognized the contributions of substitute teachers in the remote education network.
The Substitute Teachers' Union also called on all eligible substitute teachers to proactively inquire with their respective county/city government education bureaus and personnel units regarding bonus applications or retroactive payments. If they encounter obstacles during the application process, they can contact the union to ensure that the policy's good intentions are truly implemented for every grassroots teacher in remote areas. (Edited by Li Heng-shan) 1150430
Choose to stand with facts; every sponsorship you provide is a force protecting press freedom.
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The text, images, and audio-visual content on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, or publicly transmitted and used without authorization.