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Taiwan 2001 |
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Education |
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Alternatives to Mainstream Education
Special EducationThis category includes programs and facilities for gifted children, as well as those with special needs due to handicaps or learning disabilities. There are special schools in the latter category for blind, deaf, physically handicapped, and mentally retarded students. Generally, these schools are run by the government and parallel the mainstream educational system, extending from preschool through senior vocational school. In SY1999, there were 5,697 students in 23 such schools. In addition, 2,543 mainstream schools offered 3,971 classes for another 80,717 special students (disabled or gifted). In SY1999, three schools for the blind had an enrollment of 455 students, four schools for the deaf enrolled a total of 1,013 students, nine schools for mentally retarded pupils had 3,373 students, one school for the physically handicapped had 390 students, and six special schools for learning problems had 466 students. The Resource Education Program 資源教育方案 has helped establish 693 resource rooms 資源班, providing facilities for 16,826 students of special needs at the elementary and high school levels. At the undergraduate level, students needing special assistance benefited from the supportive system provided in 86 junior colleges, colleges, and universities. In SY1999, a total of 141 schools offered classes for "gifted" students 資賦優異生, and another 398 schools provided classes for "talented" students 才藝優異生. Most gifted and talented children are educated in regular schools, with special provisions to meet their needs. Gifted students are classified as those who have superior abilities in either mathematics or the sciences, whereas talented students are those who excel in such areas as music, fine art, dance, or sports. Since the formulation of the Special Education Law 特殊教育法 in 1984, handicapped children or those with other health problems have been allowed to receive education at home. In SY1999, home study services were provided to 922 special students. Social EducationThe Ministry of Education supports a number of social education programs under the Social Education Law 社會教育法. These programs include support for supplementary education, adult education, and other services such as museums, libraries, exhibition centers, social education centers, and cultural centers. Social education programs include courses in Mandarin Chinese (for native speakers of regional dialects) and family education. Supplementary EducationSupplementary schools may be private or public. Most students receive certificates upon completion, and some may receive diplomas equivalent in level to those in the mainstream system by passing examinations. The top schools in the supplementary system are open universities. National Open University 國立空中大學 has been in operation since 1987, while the new Open University of Kaohsiung 高雄市立空中大學 began enrolling undergraduates in 1997. Supplementary education can be divided into three types: compulsory, advanced, and short-term. Supplementary schools are attached to regular schools at their corresponding levels in the mainstream either as correspondence or night schools. Weekend classes are also offered. The supplementary system does not include university equivalent courses. Supplementary compulsory education, also known as continuing education, is a formal educational activity for adults and includes elementary through junior high school level courses. Supplementary advanced education, or extension education, enrolls students at three different levels: senior high school, senior vocational school, junior college, and college. After completing the prescribed courses of study and passing the qualification exams, graduates earn mainstream-equivalent diplomas. Finally, those enrolled in short-term supplementary education are in either general or technical educational courses. In SY1999, 323,581 students attended 992 supplementary schools. Approximately 42,790 were in 705 elementary and junior high schools; 5,229 senior high and 128,891 senior vocational students in 235 schools; 61,390 in 47 junior colleges; 2,149 in three supplementary colleges; and 38,222 in the two open universities. There are three kinds of undergraduates in open universities; regular students, students of electives, and independent students. To be admitted, regular students must be at least 20 years old and have senior high or equivalent qualifications. Students of electives are admitted through application and must be at least 18 years of age. In SY1999, there were 35,965 regular students and 1,889 graduates. Short-term supplementary education, restricted to 18 months, only provides technical, art, and science courses. In addition, 47,167 students participated in the Practical Technical Program offered by 165 schools which provides practical skills and craftsmanship for those who do not wish to continue academic studies. Short-term Supplementary ClassesLarge numbers of private supplementary schools 補習班 prepare students for the senior high school and university entrance examinations. Other cram schools specialize in such subjects as foreign languages, children's classes, civil service exams, TOEFL, and other exams required for study abroad. As of 1998, there were 5,536 such schools registered with the government. A much larger number operate without licenses. About 17 percent were in Taipei City, 14 percent in Kaohsiung City, and 10 percent in Taipei County. The metropolitan areas have the largest market for short-term supplementary education. Approximately 1,891,100 students studied in cram schools in SY1998. A large number of students attended also review classes at such schools in order to gain academic assistance in general subjects and pass entrance examinations. Since cram schools fulfill a definite need in Taiwan's educational system, the government is exercising closer supervision of their safety and educational standards.
International ExchangesCultural ExchangesThe Ministry of Education sponsors activities to enhance international cultural and educational exchanges. In 1998, the MOE offered grants to domestic participants in 74 international academic meetings overseas. A thousand outstanding foreign professionals were invited to share their expertise with scholars and students in Taiwan. Cultural exchanges sponsored by the MOE were promoted by sending goodwill missions overseas. Last year, 30 famous performing groups were invited overseas. Scholastic ExchangesCultural exchange agreements have been signed with friendly nations to strengthen scholastic exchanges. Scholarships and donations of books and other publications have been offered. In SY1999, 6,616 foreign students from over 80 countries studied were in the ROC. About 74 percent of these students were from Asia, and approximately 93 percent of them studied humanities. Before 1989, government permission was required for all students to study abroad. According to official records, the number of ROC students studying abroad increased annually between 1973 and 1989. In 1988, 6,382 of the 7,122 ROC students going abroad went to the United States. ROC students applied for 29,000 overseas student visas in 1999. Other Educational OptionsAdult education classes are offered in such areas as writing skills, practical mathematics, and civics. Technical classes in basic job skills are also available at training centers. In addition, the National Open University offers classes through radio and correspondence that can lead to a bachelor's degree. The Open University of Kaohsiung is the second such university and is the first to be located in southern Taiwan. These open university programs are available to all senior high school graduates or equivalently qualified secondary education students. The Educational Broadcasting Station 教育廣播電臺, Chinese Television System 中華電視股份有限公司, and school-on-the-air 空中教學 also offer educational classes.
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