ARTICLE :
New Law - Taiwan Cram Schools and Child Punishment
This is a translation of a new law sent to all cram schools in Taipei City. Please understand that there are differences in laws in different cities around Taipei. The gist of this law is that children in a cram school may NOT be physically punished. If they are, the Taipei city government can fine you or close you down.
*Beginning translation*
Department of Education, Taipei City Government
Undertaker: May Chi, Wu
Phone: Taipei 1999
outside Taipei: 2720-8889
To whom it may concern,
In order to protect student growth both in body and mind, please follow the policy of not physically punishing students. Every cram school must follow this policy. Please follow the guidelines in this document.
Statements: First: This policy is based on the document No. 0990061437 that was announced on April 13th 2010 from the Ministry of Education.
Second: According to “Regulation of Taipei City Short-term Cram Schools 3”, the purpose of a cram school is to enhance a student's basic knowledge of general sense in life, to instruct practicality and to help children gain advanced learning that will allow them to go to a higher school grade. Regulation 26 also states, “...besides dealing with schoolwork, a cram school also needs to stand on its fundamental nature and understand the needs and conditions of their students which is to provide proper guidance and assistance. Furthermore, the school should focus on the education of morality.”
According to Article 50, section 13, if the schools fail to obey the above mentioned, they will need to improve. Otherwise, the Education Department will assess the severity of the situation and ask the school to reduce its number of students. The government can go further and stop the school from recruiting new students for a predefined period of time as punishment according to Article 25.
Third: The Department of Education Taipei City Government has implemented a “No Physical Punishment” policy to guarantee each student's human rights. Each cram school should use love and understanding when teaching students. If there are any reports of punishment, the government will investigate and act accordingly.
*End of translation*
So what does all of this mean? Simply, don't hit your kids. I have a no touch policy in my school already, so nothing new for me. Times have really changed though. When I first arrived parents would tell me to hit their kids. Today I am asked if little Johnny really needs to complete his homework assignments. Which is better? Only time will tell. But the way things are going will definitely make a teacher's job more difficult. What do you think?
We will list all new laws we receive. If there are other rules or laws you need listed, please let us know. You can send me an email or just comment below.
bill@streetbacon.com