an increase in hires of foreign English-language teachers as part of the Challenge 2008 initiative, Fan stated in February 2003 that the education ministry would be reducing the number of foreign English teachers on its payroll in favor of funding the training of teachers instead. Later that month, Fan announced that the ministry was exploring ways for foreign spouses to learn Chinese, and planned to remove legal barriers to higher educational institutions for members of transnational partnerships. Her position was the subject of speculation by women's rights organizations following a May 2004 cabinet reshuffle in which Tzeng's successor Huang Jong-tsun was replaced by Tu Cheng-sheng. In August 2005, the education ministry lifted a portion of the dress code prescribed to students, a move Fan supported because schools teach students "to be responsible members of society by making decisions for themselves and thinking on their own." In December, Fan was again accused of interference, this time by Yang Chiu-hsing, regarding quality of new construction at Fong Shan Junior High School in Fongshan, Kaohsiung. Fan stepped down from the Ministry of Education in January 2006. She was placed on the Democratic Progressive Party's party list for the 2008 legislative elections, but was not elected via proportional representation. After losing the 2008 elections, Fan became director of the Kaohsiung Bureau of Education. In September 2018, Fan returned to the Ministry of Education as political deputy minister. She resigned the position in January 2019, but elected to return to her position days later, as Pan Wen-chung, the Tsai Ing-wen administration's first education minister, returned to office. Fan remained in her post through May 2020. In June 2020, the Tsai Ing-wen presidential administration nominated Fan to serve as a member of the Control Yuan. She was confirmed to the office the next month. While a member of the Control Yuan, Fan participated in investigations regarding sexual abuse against student athletes and the youth suicide rate. Personal Fan is married to Chang Fu-chung. References 1952 births Living people Tunghai University alumni Tamkang University alumni Politicians of the Republic of China on Taiwan from Taipei Women government ministers of Taiwan Democratic Progressive Party Members of the Legislative Yuan Party List Members of the Legislative Yuan Members of the 3rd Legislative Yuan Members of the 4th Legislative Yuan Taiwanese Members of the Control Yuan 21st-century Taiwanese women politicians 20th-century Taiwanese women politicians