New Taipei to Implement 5-Day School Lunch Program Starting Aug 31, Teacher Subsidies Announced
New Taipei City will implement a 5-day school lunch program for elementary and middle schools starting August 31. To address concerns from teacher unions regarding increased labor, the Education Bureau announced a 'Lunch Guidance Subsidy' for homeroom teachers.
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Central News Agency (New Taipei, 22nd) New Taipei City will implement a 5-day school lunch program for elementary and middle schools starting August 31. Teacher unions demanded today that the city government address the increased labor burden on homeroom teachers. The city government stated that it will provide a 'Lunch Guidance Subsidy' to frontline homeroom teachers to thank them for accompanying students in implementing dining etiquette and food education.
The free nutritional lunch program for New Taipei's elementary and middle schools is about to launch. City councilors expressed hope yesterday that students would finish lunch before leaving school to foster regular eating habits and reduce food safety concerns associated with eating outside. Mayor Hou Yu-ih stated during a municipal inquiry on the 21st that the 5-day school lunch program will be promoted starting next semester, with supporting measures currently under development.
Lin Sung-hung, Chairman of the New Taipei City Teachers' Association, and Tsai Shu-yuan, Deputy Chairman of the New Taipei City Education Personnel Industrial Union, issued a press release today stating that expanding the number of days students stay for lunch is equivalent to systematically requiring homeroom teachers to 'increase labor without compensation.' They argued this is unfair and will make the homeroom teacher system harder to maintain, further accelerating teacher attrition and shortages.
They emphasized that free nutritional lunches must not become a 'cheap policy' that leads to 'chronic missed meals' for homeroom teachers, becoming an unbearable burden for schools. The city must take the initiative to shoulder the dining rights and compensation for missed meals for homeroom teachers.
The Education Bureau responded to the Central News Agency today, stating that homeroom teachers assisting students with handwashing, meal distribution order, balanced diet, food waste reduction, and dining etiquette during lunch is key to the success of food education. To show appreciation for the teachers' hard work, starting from the first day of the 115th academic year (August 31), a lunch guidance subsidy will be provided to homeroom teachers in public schools simultaneously with the launch of the free lunch program.
The Education Bureau explained that previously, regardless of whether classes were full-day or half-day, there was no subsidy for homeroom teachers when students ate at school. The 'Lunch Guidance Subsidy' is a new system starting this year to thank frontline teachers for their role in food education. The amount has not yet been decided, and the bureau will continue to collect opinions from schools and teacher groups to refine the supporting measures.
The Education Bureau stated that considering the consistency of meal arrangements and student care across schools, the 5-day school lunch program will be fully promoted in elementary and middle schools starting from the 115th academic year, with students leaving school after lunch. If students need to leave early due to family pick-up, medical appointments, or other special needs, flexible assistance will be provided to balance institutional consistency with individual needs.
The free nutritional lunch program for New Taipei's elementary and middle schools is about to launch. City councilors expressed hope yesterday that students would finish lunch before leaving school to foster regular eating habits and reduce food safety concerns associated with eating outside. Mayor Hou Yu-ih stated during a municipal inquiry on the 21st that the 5-day school lunch program will be promoted starting next semester, with supporting measures currently under development.
Lin Sung-hung, Chairman of the New Taipei City Teachers' Association, and Tsai Shu-yuan, Deputy Chairman of the New Taipei City Education Personnel Industrial Union, issued a press release today stating that expanding the number of days students stay for lunch is equivalent to systematically requiring homeroom teachers to 'increase labor without compensation.' They argued this is unfair and will make the homeroom teacher system harder to maintain, further accelerating teacher attrition and shortages.
They emphasized that free nutritional lunches must not become a 'cheap policy' that leads to 'chronic missed meals' for homeroom teachers, becoming an unbearable burden for schools. The city must take the initiative to shoulder the dining rights and compensation for missed meals for homeroom teachers.
The Education Bureau responded to the Central News Agency today, stating that homeroom teachers assisting students with handwashing, meal distribution order, balanced diet, food waste reduction, and dining etiquette during lunch is key to the success of food education. To show appreciation for the teachers' hard work, starting from the first day of the 115th academic year (August 31), a lunch guidance subsidy will be provided to homeroom teachers in public schools simultaneously with the launch of the free lunch program.
The Education Bureau explained that previously, regardless of whether classes were full-day or half-day, there was no subsidy for homeroom teachers when students ate at school. The 'Lunch Guidance Subsidy' is a new system starting this year to thank frontline teachers for their role in food education. The amount has not yet been decided, and the bureau will continue to collect opinions from schools and teacher groups to refine the supporting measures.
The Education Bureau stated that considering the consistency of meal arrangements and student care across schools, the 5-day school lunch program will be fully promoted in elementary and middle schools starting from the 115th academic year, with students leaving school after lunch. If students need to leave early due to family pick-up, medical appointments, or other special needs, flexible assistance will be provided to balance institutional consistency with individual needs.
FAQ
What is the New Taipei school lunch policy?
It mandates 5-day school lunches with teacher subsidies.