TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan’s National Senior High School Teachers’ Union on Thursday welcomed recent teacher pay adjustments announced by the Ministry of Education but said more comprehensive long-term planning is needed.

On Wednesday, the ministry announced several measures, including raising the monthly homeroom teacher allowance for public senior high schools and below from NT$3,000 (US$96) to NT$4,000. The union said the increase recognizes teachers’ work in student guidance and parent-teacher communication, but added that an extra NT$1,000 may still not reflect the workload, according to CNA and UDN.

Hourly pay for part-time and substitute teachers will increase by 20%, while administrative staff will receive additional monthly bonuses ranging from NT$1,000 to NT$2,000, according to CNA. The union said the bonuses are modest and may not sufficiently motivate teachers to take on administrative roles.

Administrative bonuses will be allocated based on school size. Principals at schools with more than 50 classes will receive an extra NT$2,000 per month, while department heads, section chiefs, team leaders, and subject directors at these schools will receive NT$1,500.

At schools with fewer than 50 classes, principals and other administrative staff will receive NT$1,000 per month. The union noted that staff at smaller schools often handle multiple administrative roles, which is not reflected in the bonus amounts.

The union also highlighted long-term concerns, citing inflation. Using senior high school hourly rates as an example, pay has increased 126% from NT$400 to NT$505 over the past 30 years, while NT$10,000 in 1994 is equivalent to roughly NT$15,200 in 2024, a 152% rise, according to the Directorate General of Budget, Accounting and Statistics's purchasing power conversion platform.

Lin Tzu-bin (林子斌), a professor at National Taiwan Normal University’s Department of Education, told the BBC that Taiwan’s primary and secondary schools have faced a shortage of substitute teachers in recent years. The problem worsened in 2025, with many schools struggling to hire full-time teachers for certain subjects.

According to the Ministry of Education, as of Aug. 25, one week before the start of the school year, 1,429 substitute teachers were still needed across 3,303 public elementary and junior high schools in Taiwan. The ministry also said roughly 74,000 certified prospective teachers ultimately chose not to enter the profession, opting instead for other industries.

The union urged the government to address broader challenges, including teacher retention and declining interest in the profession. While it welcomed the allowance adjustments, it emphasized the importance of improving salary structures, job security, and working conditions to attract and retain skilled educators.

It also recommended reducing administrative burdens and strengthening legal protections for teachers, noting that respect, fair pay, and a supportive work environment are essential to maintaining high-quality education in Taiwan.