Eroding classroom trust
Not long ago, a junior-high- school student asked on the social media platform Threads how to “get rid of” his homeroom teacher, and someone left a comment suggesting that he make false accusations against the teacher.
The teacher–student relationship in Taiwan’s education system has been undergoing a drastic change.
Due to the amplification of misconceptions on the Internet, some young students openly discuss how to remove their teachers.
In Taiwan, false accusations against teachers have almost no cost, require no evidence and carry no liability for accusers, and the burden of proof rests on the accused.
Under such circumstances, the balance of rights and interests between teachers and students is increasingly tipping toward the student side.
This trend began with parents’ reckless complaints against teachers, fueled by news media and online platforms.
Today, even junior high school students are imitating parents’ poor behavior, falsely accusing teachers they dislike.
This would inevitably force more teachers to adopt a passive “defensive teaching” approach to protect themselves.
To curb this unhealthy trend and enable teachers to correct students’ behavior, the Ministry of Education should accelerate reforms and stop dismissing the problem as immaturity on the students’ part.
When a person makes a complaint against a teacher, they should also provide concrete evidence; otherwise, the school should not file a case.
If an accusation is proven to be false, the accuser should be held accountable. The ministry should push for an investigation and compensation mechanism regarding false complaints to protect teachers’ basic rights, ensuring they do not feel isolated in their battles.
Education is the foundation of a nation. When the balance of rights between teachers and students becomes extremely imbalanced, tipping entirely to the student side, that foundation would be shaken.
The ministry must take action to ensure that Taiwan’s education remains competitive on the international stage.
Lee Chia-hsien
Chiayi City
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