New Taipei allocates NT$17M yearly for school volunteers

NEW TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The New Taipei City Education Department stated on Wednesday (Nov. 22) that it has been allocating an annual budget of NT＄17 million to subsidize various volunteer activities at schools, including the purchase of guide and protective equipment.

Additionally, the department stressed that it coordinates the procurement of insurance for school volunteers every year to ensure their safety.

The education department responded to concerns raised by New Taipei City Councilor Huang Shu-chun, regarding the disparity between the budget for school volunteer equipment and the actual number of volunteers. 

The current budget provides for equipment for over 5,000 volunteers, despite there being an estimated 32,000 volunteers on the roster, with an equipment renewal every two years, Huang doubted.

Huang compared the volunteer benefits granted to school social workers, which average NT＄495, to those provided for police civil defense, neighborhood chiefs, and patrol teams, which each receive a volunteer reward of NT＄3,840. Moreover, the benefits for school volunteers are subject to insurance deductions.

Huang noted that while volunteers do not seek substantial benefits and are not volunteering for leisure but rather out of a commitment to service, it is vital to review and improve the system, amidst growing concerns that the current mechanism may lead to a reduction in volunteers and difficulties in recruitment and retention.

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