TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — More than 1,000 teachers protested outside the Ministry of Education in Taipei on Sunday, criticizing existing regulations governing how public school teachers are reported and disciplined following student and parent complaints.

The National Federation of Teachers Unions organized the protest to call for the repeal of the regulations, which it argues have led to an increase in frivolous lawsuits and have disenfranchised public school teachers. The NTFU called on Minister of Education Cheng Ying-yao (鄭英耀) to address their concerns or step down from office, per CNA.

Article 29 of the law governing the performance of public school teachers was introduced under former Minister of Education Pan Wen-chung (潘文忠). Critics say the law — which allows anonymous student complaints, internal investigations, and punitive review conferences — is “draconian” and lends itself to “witch hunts.”

In a press release, the NTFU argued against the adoption of the measures and said it has consistently called on the Cabinet to abolish them. The union said the Ministry of Education under the Lai administration has done little to address teachers’ concerns.

Protesters said the punitive review system makes teaching in Taiwan an undesirable career and undermines the dignity of education professionals. They said the profession already faces multiple challenges, including stagnant wages and a critical shortage of certified teachers.

The NTFU said public schools already have internal oversight systems for handling complaints and disciplinary reviews, making the ministry’s regulations burdensome and unnecessary.

In addition to repealing the dismissal-related regulations, the NTFU outlined several other demands aimed at restoring the dignity and reputation of the teaching profession. These include stricter vetting of investigators hired by the ministry and the establishment of a filtering mechanism to reduce frivolous or prejudiced complaints targeting teachers.