I’m compelled to share my experiences with Tamkang Junior High School, as I believe it’s crucial for both teachers and parents to be aware of the issues that exist behind the scenes. This is a personal account based on my time working at the school.
Tamkang Junior High School is not a suitable place for female educators. During my employment, I faced harassment and unprofessional comments from a male coworker. These incidents were reported to the school’s administration, but the outcome was disappointing. I was advised to move my desk, while the teacher received a mere verbal warning. Despite repeated reports, no further action was taken by human resources or administration to address the situation. Recently, I discovered that this teacher is still employed at the school, which was both shocking and disheartening.
Additionally, while I was there, a petition signed by dozens of junior high teachers was submitted to the principal, calling for the demotion of the junior high director due to toxic behavior towards both teachers and students. Unfortunately, I’ve learned that this director remains in their position.
There was also a significant incident on campus that drew media attention from all major Taipei news channels. We were instructed not to speak to the press, but if you can read Chinese, you can find more information about it online. Furthermore, there’s a Facebook page focused on the Tamsui area where parents frequently express dissatisfaction with the school, teachers, and administration. The principal of Sun Tek Elementary School, which shares the campus, was even demoted and sued by parents due to comments on this feed.
It’s common for teachers to be sued by parents at this campus, and our contracts explicitly state that the school will not provide legal defense in such cases. This was confirmed by an administrator when I inquired about it.
The turnover rate among foreign staff and management is unusually high. I’ve been told that the foreign team has had three different managers in the past year alone. The salary for teachers is below the average for private schools in the Taipei area, starting at 70,000 NTD per month on a twelve-month contract. Most of the foreign staff lack proper teacher certification and would not qualify at an international school or high-level academic school in Taiwan. I personally received a 40% raise when I moved to a new school with my certification.
Some Taiwanese teachers on campus lack certification recognized by the Ministry of Education, yet they teach humanities classes etc. to circumvent these regulations. Our schedules were often inconsistent, with English translations differing significantly from the official Chinese versions. This is because the school offers more English and bilingual classes than allowed by the Ministry of Education, which results in higher tuition fees for these programs. The real class schedules are not turned into the Ministry of Education. I was told it has always been this way and that the school had been on probation by the Ministry of Education before.
Resources for both students and teachers are minimal, despite the high tuition fees paid by parents. When I requested additional funds for project resources, it was consistently denied. I was told to work with what I had, and my co-teacher explained that unless parents pay extra beyond regular tuition, there would be no additional funding for mandated projects.
The work environment in the junior high office is dysfunctional at best and toxic at worst. Some teachers refuse to collaborate, and derogatory comments and gossip about teachers in the junior high office are openly discussed during office hours. The administration seems indifferent to this toxic culture. If there are no parent complaints, everything appears fine, but beneath the surface, it’s a different story.
I feel deeply sorry for the students who deserve better. There are many talented students at Tamkang, but they are not receiving the education they deserve due to a lack of resources, improperly credentialed teachers, and a general approach to education that prioritizes mediocrity.
For Parents: There are many excellent schools in the New Taipei City area that offer superior educational experiences. I strongly advise against sending your children to Tamkang Junior High School.
For Teachers: Be aware that you will be underpaid and lack teaching resources and administrative support. While keeping a low profile might help you avoid some of the dysfunctional workplace culture, you will still encounter toxic behavior and personalities on campus.
Stay far away from this school.
Now I feel like I should proselytize or something to ideally help people not be consumed by the teaching void here lol.