Taichung Teacher Severely Injured by Special Education Student; Ministry of Education Considers Legal Aid

A teacher in Taichung, Taiwan, suffered severe injuries after being attacked by a special education student, reigniting concerns about educator safety and support when dealing with high-risk students.

Minister of Education Cheng Ying-yao expressed regret over the incident and is closely monitoring the injured teacher's condition. The ministry's Political Deputy Minister Chang Liao Wan-chien is scheduled to visit the teacher, who is expected to undergo surgery next week, to offer support and assess further assistance needs.

The Ministry of Education plans to bolster support for teachers through increased staffing, improved campus crisis management, and enhanced psychological and legal services. For students with severe emotional or behavioral issues that disrupt classes or pose safety risks, the ministry can provide student assistants and professional teams for in-school support. The ministry also highlighted existing provisions for injured teachers, including injury leave,慰問金 (consolation money), and legal assistance.

To address these challenges, the Ministry of Education established the "Special Education Student Emotional Behavior Support Center" in August 2024 and subsidizes local teams to support teachers dealing with emotional and behavioral issues. The ministry is also reviewing current regulations and considering allocating additional funds next year to establish a dedicated teacher legal support service. The National Federation of Teachers' Unions has proposed a tiered system for campus emotional crisis management, while the National Union of Substitute Teachers calls for a review of summer tutoring necessity and a stronger occupational safety system.

Regarding parental responsibility, the ministry is proposing amendments to the "Children and Youth Welfare and Rights Protection Act" to include provisions for parental cooperation with school guidance and disciplinary measures, or mandatory parenting education. The ministry also clarified that support is not limited to students with special education status; at-risk students also have assessment and transition mechanisms. When students experience emotional crises, they can be removed from the situation and receive professional support to stabilize their emotions, thereby reducing campus safety risks.