By KHT Staff. Photo courtesy of the Kaohsiung City Education Industry Union.
KAOHSIUNG — The widow of a Kaohsiung elementary school teacher who died last week has called on the city government to investigate how he was treated by his former school, alleging that administrators obstructed his medical leave and unfairly branded him an ineffective teacher.
The statement has brought renewed attention to the Aug. 11 death of the teacher, identified only by his surname Lin (林), which KHT did not report when it occurred. His funeral was held Wednesday.
Lin’s death is the second apparent suicide involving a Kaohsiung elementary school teacher reported this year. In May, another teacher died after falling from a building at the school where he worked, prompting debate over pressure faced by educators and the support available to them.
The two deaths involve separate schools and circumstances. No investigation has established that workplace conditions caused either death.
Following the May case, the school disputed online speculation that the teacher had experienced serious conflict with students. It said he had not been the subject of complaints or a school-affairs investigation. The city subsequently announced measures intended to strengthen teacher support and reform procedures for investigating complaints against educators.
In the latest case, Lin’s widow said her husband had been “a front-line teacher who only wanted to teach his students well,” but had gradually been pushed into a corner.
Her allegations have not been independently established. The Kaohsiung City Government has formed an investigative panel to examine claims that Lin experienced workplace bullying, according to Public Television Service.
Lin’s widow said that before he raised concerns about school administrative practices late last year, he had never been informed of any complaints from parents.
Beginning in March, however, he was removed from his position as head of the school’s curriculum section and prevented from choosing to serve as a homeroom teacher, she said.
She alleged that the principal told Lin that parents were preparing a petition against him and suggested that he “change environments,” but never provided him with a formal investigation report.
By April, Lin was experiencing insomnia, anxiety and panic and sought an extended period of medical leave, according to his widow.
She said the school required him to find his own substitute, warned that he could otherwise be recorded as absent without leave and instructed him to continue handling administrative work from home.
The Kaohsiung City Education Industry Union (高雄市教育產業工會), which is representing the family, previously displayed messages that it said supported Lin’s account of being asked to find a substitute.
The school has disputed parts of the union’s account. In an earlier statement, it said Lin’s leave was processed according to regulations and that a substitute had been provided. It also denied forcing him to transfer.
Lin eventually applied for a transfer to another elementary school. His widow alleged that unverified claims of “ineffective teaching” reached the new school before he did.
“His last light of hope was extinguished,” she wrote.
She also accused the former school of publicly blaming Lin after his death, when he was no longer able to respond.
“Before a complete and impartial investigation has been concluded, please do not place all the blame on someone who can no longer defend himself,” she said in her appeal to the city.
The Education Bureau (教育局) has said the investigative panel will examine evidence supplied by the family and union. The city has declined to comment further while the inquiry is underway.
If you or someone you know needs help, Taiwan’s 24-hour suicide-prevention hotline can be reached at 1925. Lifeline can be reached at 1995, and Teacher Chang Foundation counselors at 1980.
