The principal of a Taichung high school where a student committed suicide in February has been dismissed, while other staff received demerits and other punitive measures, the Taichung Education Bureau said on Thursday.
Evidence was found of “improper discipline” being applied to students, which had resulted in “physical and mental harm,” the bureau said at a news conference to announce the results of a meeting on Monday.
The student who committed suicide was found to have been bullied by a teacher “over a long period,” the bureau said.
Photo: Chang Hsuan-tse, Taipei Times
The principal has been replaced with an acting principal until a permanent replacement can be found, while the school’s academic director has been ordered to meet with the bureau’s faculty evaluation committee, it said.
The committee is to handle the director’s case in accordance with the Teachers’ Act (教師法), it added.
Under the advice of the acting principal, the director has been temporarily suspended pending the deliberation of the committee, and the bureau does not rule out permanently terminating the director’s employment, it said.
“The school failed to handle the situation properly, so the bureau has intervened and has removed the principal, and will be conducting further evaluations of other staff,” the bureau said.
The former principal, academic director, head instructor and two teachers are being assessed, and could possibly have their employment terminated, it said.
The bureau said that the principal had “poorly handled” the situation, which delayed an investigation.
“The case got out of control, and the principal failed to demonstrate leadership capability or proper school management,” the bureau said, adding that the principal was removed from the position in accordance with articles 15 and 17 of the Senior High School Education Act (高級中等教育法).
“We uphold the principles of fairness and impartiality, but if there are any violations, they must be dealt with strictly,” it said. “We will continue to strengthen teacher professionalism, including proper guidance and use of discipline so that we can create a friendly learning environment.”
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