TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The Ministry of Education (教育部) announced on Tuesday (Oct. 7) a legal amendment to relax hiring qualifications for full-time indigenous language teachers in elementary schools. This change, accompanied by improved compensation, aims to bolster indigenous language education across Taiwan. The ministry has currently allocated NT$150 million to support various expenses related to hiring these specialized teachers.
To implement the Indigenous Languages Development Act (原住民族語言發展法), the ministry has revised the "Qualifications and Employment Methods for Indigenous Language Teachers in Schools Below Senior High School Level" (高級中等以下學校原住民族語老師資格及聘用辦法) four times since its establishment on Aug. 8, 2018. The K-12 Education Administration (國教署) stated that this year's amendment further adjusts the qualifications, salaries, and working conditions of full-time indigenous language teachers.
The administration also highlighted a key change in the language proficiency requirement for these teachers, lowering it from advanced to intermediate-advanced. Additionally, the administration noted that full-time indigenous language teachers will receive a comprehensive salary increase, including a 3% base salary hike and an extra NT$1,500 monthly for those with advanced language certification.
To encourage teaching in remote areas, teachers who remain in such positions for 10 years will receive an additional NT$2,000 monthly starting their 11th year. Since the 2018 academic year, the number of teachers has grown from 112 in 13 counties and cities to 269 in 17 counties and cities.
