Popular Korean Drama Highlights Taiwan Teachers' Powerlessness, Lawmaker Says

A popular South Korean drama exploring school conflicts and the education system has struck a chord with educators in Taiwan. The show, which depicts "fighting violence with violence," has resonated with Taiwanese teachers who feel a profound sense of powerlessness in their profession.

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The drama's depiction of forceful retaliation and vigilante justice offers a brief release for frontline teachers who feel wronged. However, she stressed that society must address the real difficulties within schools.

Ko Chih-en, a legislative member and candidate for Kaohsiung mayor, stated that behind the cathartic resonance lies a heavy and real powerlessness felt by teachers in Taiwan's schools. She called on the Ministry of Education to confront the collective anxiety of parents, teachers, and students with professionalism and responsibility, becoming a true leader in maintaining school order and a strong support for all teachers.

Ko explained that the drama's depiction of forceful retaliation and vigilante justice offers a brief release for frontline teachers who feel wronged. However, she stressed that society must address the real difficulties within schools. "Currently, grassroots teachers are caught between heavy teaching responsibilities, parents' excessive and escalating expectations, and the disorderly behavior of some students." With teachers' disciplinary authority increasingly restricted and parent-teacher communication often devolving into confrontation and defensiveness, the relationship among parents, teachers, and students in Taiwan's schools faces unprecedented tension and conflict.

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Currently, grassroots teachers are caught between heavy teaching responsibilities, parents' excessive and escalating expectations, and the disorderly behavior of some students.

Ko noted that as the school safety net continues to develop cracks, teachers' passion for teaching is rapidly being eroded. She previously submitted four specific demands to the Ministry of Education, requiring a clear response within three months. However, the ministry's attitude remains passive and weak, failing to demonstrate the stance and actions expected of a strong supporter for all teachers. She believes the Ministry of Education cannot stand idly by when facing the collective anxiety of parents, teachers, and students. While the drama's solution is to fight violence with violence, the real-world solution cannot and absolutely must not be the same. Schools should not become arenas for power struggles, but they absolutely need a dignified teaching environment, well-resourced counseling mechanisms, and channels for trusting communication between parents and teachers.

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As the school safety net continues to develop cracks, teachers' passion for teaching is rapidly being eroded.

Ko urged the Ministry of Education to immediately review the "school affairs meeting" system and fully implement administrative workload reduction, returning valuable time to professional teaching and student support. Additionally, she advocates for clear regulations to protect teachers' reasonable disciplinary authority, enabling teachers to "dare to discipline and have no worries" when facing disorderly behavior. She also called for sufficient funding and professional personnel to strengthen campus psychological counseling mechanisms, ensuring comprehensive support for every teacher and student in need.

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The Ministry of Education cannot stand idly by when facing the collective anxiety of parents, teachers, and students.