Ou Kuei-chih's Comments on Arms Procurement Stir Controversy; Ministry of Education: Society Has Higher Expectations for Teachers
Taipei First Girls High School teacher Ou Kuei-chih's controversial remarks opposing Taiwan's arms purchases from the US, broadcast by Chinese state media, have sparked debate. The Ministry of Education stated that local governments determine violations of administrative neutrality but society has higher expectations for teachers' professional conduct. Premier Cho Jung-tai also deemed strong political statements by teachers inappropriate.
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- 📰 Published: May 13, 2026 at 12:46
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Central News Agency (Reporter Chen Chih-chung, Taipei, 13th) — Chinese state television's new media recently broadcast an interview with Ou Kuei-chih, a teacher from Taipei First Girls High School, discussing her views on arms purchases from the United States, which has sparked controversy. The Ministry of Education stated today that whether this constitutes a violation of administrative neutrality is determined by local governments, but society has higher expectations for teachers' professional performance.
Last year, Ou Kuei-chih, in her capacity as a teacher at Taipei First Girls High School, was interviewed by China Central Television. After public complaints about her remarks, Taipei First Girls High School announced a ban on faculty and staff accepting interviews from Chinese official media. However, Chinese state media CCTV's new media platform "Riyue Tantian" recently aired Ou Kuei-chih's interview footage, in which she opposed Taiwan's arms purchases from the US, rekindling the controversy.
Premier Cho Jung-tai stated yesterday in response to questions at the Legislative Yuan that teachers expressing such strong political stances is, in his personal opinion, "inappropriate." He added that while educational issues on campus should respect teachers, if a teacher's remarks significantly differ from or seriously challenge current national policies, the Ministry of Education should engage in necessary communication with the school and the teacher.
In a written response to a CNA reporter today, the Ministry of Education stated that whether teachers in elementary and secondary schools violate educational administrative neutrality involves individual case fact-finding and relevant investigative procedures. According to the Local Government Act, this falls under the purview of local competent authorities.
The Ministry of Education indicated that local governments should strengthen publicity and supervise schools to ensure teachers fulfill their obligations as defined in Article 32, Paragraph 1, Subparagraph 6 of the Teachers' Act. This includes strictly adhering to their duties, upholding teaching ethics and professional spirit, avoiding improper political propaganda, and maintaining campus professionalism and educational administrative neutrality.
The Ministry of Education emphasized that Taiwan is a democratic society that respects diverse opinions and freedom of speech. However, the value of democracy is also built upon an understanding of facts, institutional operations, and national security risks.
The Ministry of Education added that as educators, teachers are not merely transmitters of knowledge; they also bear the important responsibility of cultivating students' democratic literacy and civic critical thinking skills. Therefore, society naturally has higher expectations for teachers' professional performance and public discourse. Public statements by educators should be based on professionalism and discretion.
Taipei First Girls High School responded yesterday that Ou Kuei-chih's remarks on arms procurement originated from the program "Political Trends Surge, Night Visit to the General's Mansion" broadcast on Taiwan's "Yushan Internet TV" at 8 PM on the 8th of this month, and not from a direct interview with Chinese official media. (Editor: Lung Po-an) 1150513
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Last year, Ou Kuei-chih, in her capacity as a teacher at Taipei First Girls High School, was interviewed by China Central Television. After public complaints about her remarks, Taipei First Girls High School announced a ban on faculty and staff accepting interviews from Chinese official media. However, Chinese state media CCTV's new media platform "Riyue Tantian" recently aired Ou Kuei-chih's interview footage, in which she opposed Taiwan's arms purchases from the US, rekindling the controversy.
Premier Cho Jung-tai stated yesterday in response to questions at the Legislative Yuan that teachers expressing such strong political stances is, in his personal opinion, "inappropriate." He added that while educational issues on campus should respect teachers, if a teacher's remarks significantly differ from or seriously challenge current national policies, the Ministry of Education should engage in necessary communication with the school and the teacher.
In a written response to a CNA reporter today, the Ministry of Education stated that whether teachers in elementary and secondary schools violate educational administrative neutrality involves individual case fact-finding and relevant investigative procedures. According to the Local Government Act, this falls under the purview of local competent authorities.
The Ministry of Education indicated that local governments should strengthen publicity and supervise schools to ensure teachers fulfill their obligations as defined in Article 32, Paragraph 1, Subparagraph 6 of the Teachers' Act. This includes strictly adhering to their duties, upholding teaching ethics and professional spirit, avoiding improper political propaganda, and maintaining campus professionalism and educational administrative neutrality.
The Ministry of Education emphasized that Taiwan is a democratic society that respects diverse opinions and freedom of speech. However, the value of democracy is also built upon an understanding of facts, institutional operations, and national security risks.
The Ministry of Education added that as educators, teachers are not merely transmitters of knowledge; they also bear the important responsibility of cultivating students' democratic literacy and civic critical thinking skills. Therefore, society naturally has higher expectations for teachers' professional performance and public discourse. Public statements by educators should be based on professionalism and discretion.
Taipei First Girls High School responded yesterday that Ou Kuei-chih's remarks on arms procurement originated from the program "Political Trends Surge, Night Visit to the General's Mansion" broadcast on Taiwan's "Yushan Internet TV" at 8 PM on the 8th of this month, and not from a direct interview with Chinese official media. (Editor: Lung Po-an) 1150513
Choose to stand with facts. Your every sponsorship is the power to protect press freedom.
Download CNA's "First-Hand News" APP to stay updated with the latest news.
Text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, or publicly transmitted and used without authorization.
Keywords: