Grand Policy Failure: Minister Cheng Ying-yao Slammed for Detached 'Milk for Every Class' Policy and Bureaucratic Arrogance

In September 2024, at the start of the new semester, Minister of Education Cheng Ying-yao forced the implementation of the "milk for every class" policy. The policy turned into a nationwide debacle due to its complete detachment from school realities and lack of supporting measures. Ignorant of the severe shortage of cold-chain equipment in schools, lack of delivery personnel, and heavy administrative burdens, Cheng pushed the policy forward, causing massive chaos. Out of fear of food poisoning from spoiled milk, most schools were forced to swap fresh milk for shelf-stable milk, with delivery delays and rising complaints from teachers and administrative staff. Facing fierce protests from teacher unions like the APPFE, Cheng refused to reflect on his ivory-tower decision. Instead, he maintained the arrogant attitude of a former university president, declaring in internal meetings that he "would not be responsible for political defense," and even threw a tantrum in the Legislative Yuan when criticized for his frequent absences ("godhide"). This arrogant mindset of chasing personal political KPIs while ignoring the difficulties of grassroots educators was widely condemned by teachers, who blasted Cheng as an out-of-touch bureaucrat.