Fan Yun criticizes KMT convener's committee actions, refutes 'anti-teacher' claims

A contentious session in Taiwan's Legislative Yuan's Education and Culture Committee yesterday led to a sharp exchange between ruling and opposition parties. The committee, reviewing proposed amendments to regulations concerning teacher dismissals and performance evaluations, saw KMT convener Lo Ting-wei use a procedural vote to halt discussions. This move, which prevented the Ministry of Education from explaining the potential impact of rejecting the amendments, was met with strong opposition from Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) legislators, who subsequently staged a walkout.

DPP legislator Fan Yun strongly condemned Lo Ting-wei's actions, labeling the abrupt termination of debate as an "unprecedented bad example" for the committee, which she stated has historically prioritized thorough discussion and consensus-building. Fan Yun highlighted that while political differences are common, the committee's tradition has been to respect educational professionalism and engage in rational communication. She noted that yesterday's session saw multiple procedural votes, a rarity in her five years on the committee, including one that pushed through parts of a "School Lunch and Nutrition Education Act" for cross-party consultation despite objections.

Adding to the conflict, Fan Yun addressed accusations made by KMT legislator Yeh Yuan-chih, who reportedly characterized her stance as "anti-teacher." Fan Yun vehemently denied these claims, stating that such remarks were a distortion of her words and misrepresented her position. As a former teacher herself, Fan Yun asserted her consistent dedication to improving teachers' working conditions and securing more resources for education. She stressed her commitment to listening to all stakeholders, including teachers, students, and parents, believing that educational policies must balance diverse interests rather than being driven by isolated information that incites conflict.

Fan Yun urged all parties to return to rational discourse, warning against political maneuvering that distorts statements or incites animosity. She emphasized that education is a long-term endeavor, and any reform should be founded on comprehensive communication and professional discussion to genuinely safeguard the rights of teachers, students' right to education, and campus safety. The DPP legislator stressed that first-line teachers face immense work pressure, and she continues to advocate for improved school affairs meeting systems even when not on the committee.