Family calls for probe into Kinmen teacher’s death

The family of a junior-high school teacher found dead at his residence in Kinmen County has called for an independent investigation into allegations that he was bullied by students over his gender expression.

At a news conference in Taipei yesterday, the family called for outside experts to join the investigation.

The Ministry of Education pledged to expand its oversight of the probe and establish a dedicated contact point.

From left, Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Legislator Chen Pei-yu, a family member of a deceased teacher, National Substitute and Part-time Teachers’ Union chairperson Kit Huang and DPP Legislator Fan Yun hold a news conference in Taipei yesterday.

Photo: Tu Chien-jung, Taipei Times

Speaking alongside representatives of the National Substitute and Part-time Teachers’ Union and Democratic Progressive Party legislators Chen Pei-yu (陳培瑜) and Fan Yun (范雲), the teacher’s sister said her brother had been subjected to discrimination and verbal abuse at school because of his gentle appearance and manner.

She said that students continued to make insulting remarks about him after his death.

The family wants a transparent investigation and justice for her brother, she said, expressing hope that no other teacher would suffer a similar tragedy.

Union chairperson Kit Huang (黃湘仙) said the union had received an anonymous account from a student alleging that another student had used derogatory terms about the teacher’s gender expression, filmed him and shared the video online.

The student also allegedly mocked the teacher after his death, Huang said.

Three other young teachers died by suicide last month, Huang said, urging the Executive Yuan to establish a dedicated task force to investigate systemic issues to formulate effective suicide prevention guidelines.

Fan said Kinmen’s close-knit community could discourage students from speaking out and urged the ministry to establish a way for students to provide information anonymously, without going through the school or county government.

Chen urged the ministry to directly appoint independent experts to the investigation team, rather than leaving their selection to the school or county government.

Hung Chen-hui (洪甄徽), a senior ministry official, expressed regret over the case and said the ministry would oversee and assist the county government and school in completing the investigation.

A dedicated contact point would also be set up, Hung said.

Under current regulations, the case would normally be handled by the school’s gender equality committee, but the ministry would further discuss how to proceed, taking Kinmen’s particular circumstances into account, including the lawmakers’ proposals for anonymous submissions and the appointment of outside experts, Hung said.