Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an (蔣萬安) yesterday announced major policies to be implemented this year, including providing free lunches in all the city's elementary and junior-high schools.
The city is to also oversee food traceability and quality control to ensure budget constraints do not limit ingredient choices, and would promote nutrition and agri-food education, city government officials quoted Chiang as saying.
Photo: Huang Mei-chu, Taipei Times
It is estimated the policy would reduce parents' expenses by NT$10,000 per year.
Chiang also announced education reform measures, including cutting one class period for homeroom teachers in elementary, junior-high and senior-high schools, and raising their allowances, as well as increasing the number of dedicated administrative staff and boosting bonuses for teachers who hold concurrent administrative posts.
Free psychological counseling services for teachers would also be expanded, with the number of sessions increased from six to 10 to eight to 12 per school year, and service locations extended from five administrative districts to 12.
Lastly, the city is expanding the use of its senior citizen card, Chiang said.
The card, issued to residents aged 65 and above and indigenous citizens aged 55 and above, currently provides 480 points per month, which can be redeemed for services such as public transportation, with each point equivalent to NT$1.
Cardholders are now able to use points to cover registration fees at city hospitals, while the number of points that can be redeemed for taxi rides would increase from 65 to 85 beginning next month.
Beginning in July, the monthly subsidy would be raised from 480 points to 600 points, he added.
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