Taipei: The prestigious Taipei First Girls High School (TFG) has implemented a ban on its teachers participating in interviews with Chinese state media. This decision comes in the wake of a controversy sparked by a teacher at the school who criticized President Lai Ching-te during an appearance on China Central Television (CCTV).
According to Focus Taiwan, the school's principal, Chen Chih-yuan, made an announcement to staff and students emphasizing TFG's commitment to maintaining a "free and democratic" environment. The school tolerates and respects a range of viewpoints, provided they adhere to school rules. However, due to the current tensions between Taiwan and China, the school has decided to prohibit its teachers from engaging with Chinese state media to prevent any potential issues.
The controversy began when the Taipei Department of Education received complaints about comments made by TFG teacher Ou Kui-chih on CCTV. During the interview, Ou criticized President Lai's decision to label China as a "hostile foreign force," expressing uncertainty about facing her Chinese relatives in light of the designation.
Ou, a Chinese literature teacher, has previously been in the spotlight for her outspoken views. In 2023, she criticized new government curriculum guidelines that reduced classical Chinese texts, describing them as politically motivated actions towards "desinicization."
Following the incident, the Taipei Department of Education stated it would allow TFG to manage the situation internally, affirming its respect for teachers' professional autonomy and freedom of speech, provided they adhere to educational neutrality.
Education Minister Cheng Ying-yao also commented, acknowledging teachers' freedom of expression while stressing the importance of maintaining national consciousness and identity.