The Ministry of Education recently announced revisions to its Regulations for Teachers at the College Level or Higher Exiting the Country forLectureships, Research or Advanced Study. The revisions introduce major relaxations in restrictions related to teacher qualifications and the time they are permitted abroad.
As for qualifications, the revised regulations stipulate that teaching personnel exiting the country for lectureships need only have the qualifications of a lecturer or higher and that those exiting the country for research or advanced study need only have the qualifications of a teaching assistant. Previously the qualifications were those of a professor and a lecturer, respectively. However, personnel in either of the above categories must have taught full time for two consecutive years or more at the school from which they are applying.
As for the time allowed, lectureships or research must be completed within one year, with an extension of one more year when necessary; study for a doctorate must be completed within three years, with extension for another two years if necessary; and study for a master's degree must be completed within two years, with no extensions.
In addition, teaching personnel applying to exit the country for lectureships, research or advanced study do so on the condition that their teaching work not be affected and that appropriate personnel be found as substitutes to carry their class load. The percentage of teachers outside the country each year may not exceed five percent of the total number of full-time instructors employed by each school, excluding those with special permission.
The regulations also stipulate that persons leaving the country for lectureships, research or advanced study who have been employed full-time at the same school for three or more consecutive years can receive salaries for their positions for one year at most, with the agreement of the school. After returning to the R.O.C. they must carry out their service obligations according to regulations; otherwise, they must provide compensation and are forbidden to apply to leave the country again under the regulations.