Group Urges Protection of Substitute Teachers' Rights|工作無保障 學生放暑假代理教師"失業"

Every July and August, around 20,000 substitute teachers find themselves "unemployed." This is because substitute teachers only get paid when they work, and their work are not guaranteed. The National Federation of Education Unions urges the newly appointed Education Minister Yeh Jiunn-rong not to overlook the rights and benefits of substitute teachers, and to commit to giving them 12 months of salary a year like other permanent full time teachers.


(Every year) I take the test for junior high school, and for senior high school. I basically take all the tests everywhere.

This teacher has worked as a senior high school substitute teacher for seven years, and also travels around Taiwan to take teacher selection exams hoping to become a full-time teacher. In her place of residence, substitute teachers do not get paid 12 months a year even if they also take on administrative duties. This means they have to keep a close eye on their expenses during the school holidays as they are not paid during these months.

I am classified as unemployed during those two months. Before I became a teacher, I taught at cram schools. I may have to get one (summer side job). I also have to be very frugal.

Ministry of Education statistics show the number of elementary and junior high school substitute teachers rose from 9,000 in 2008 to 17,000 in 2017. Only Taoyuan City's senior high and vocational schools and special education schools, and Kinmen's public senior high and vocational schools give substitute teachers 12 months of salary. Other cities and counties do not offer the full 12 months. This situation is quite bleak for substitute teachers.

We have not seen any interest from the education minister on the issue of the damaged rights and benefits of substitute teachers. You say you want to upgrade the quality of education, but I believe this will be impossible if the rights and benefits of substitute teachers are unguaranteed.

Even though the ministry previously discussed with local governments about regularizing the situation of substitute teachers if they also take on administrative duties or prepare lesson plans, most cities and counties are unable to do that due to financial or other reasons. The federation says the Ministry of Education should carry out a promise to give substitute teachers 12 months of salary and stop ignoring their right to work.