Moreover, there are hundreds of thousands of teachers who teach for years in citizens-managed or State-managed schools but are not paid the salary of a normal teacher by the government. According to some media reports, some teachers in rural areas have taught in remote mountainous regions for decades on extremely low salaries. And after retirement, they don't even get pensions from the government because they are not considered "officially employed" teachers.
The teaching profession as a whole is vexed by low remuneration, which is a matter of great concern because teachers play a crucial role in social development. Teachers not only disseminate knowledge, but also shape the next generation leaders, scientists, doctors, engineers, intellectuals, writers and artists to lead the country. So if they are not paid properly, the profession may not attract the best talents compromising the future of our society.
Gu Binglin, president of Tsinghua University, told the media recently that the salary of young college teachers is too low for them to afford the high housing prices. Gu is worried that this could lead to brain drain from the profession.
Nutritious lunch provided in Taipei's elementary school