Taiwan 2002

		Education
		Alternatives to Mainstream Education Special Education This 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 operated by the government and run parallel to the mainstream educational system, extending from preschool through senior vocational school. In SY2000, there were 5,989 students in 23 such schools. In addition, 2,670 mainstream schools offered 4,783 classes for 92,492 special students (disabled or gifted). In SY2000, three schools for the blind had an enrollment of 416 students, four schools for the deaf enrolled a total of 1,025 students, nine schools for mentally retarded pupils had 3,386 students, one school for the physically handicapped had 400 students, and six special schools for students with learning problems had 739 students. In SY2000, the Resource Education Program 資源教育方案 helped establish 1061 resource rooms 資源班, providing facilities for 33,766 students with special needs at the elementary and high school levels. In SY2000, a total of 143 schools offered classes for "gifted" students 資賦優異生, and another 408 schools provided classes for "talented" students 才藝優異生. Most gifted and talented children are educated in regular schools, but 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 SY2000, home study services were provided to 1,143 special students. Social Education The 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 Education Supplementary 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. In SY2000, the two open universities provided education to 36,371 students. The male-female ratio was 1 to 2.2. Of all the age groups, female students aged between 35-39 ranked the highest. In SY1999, there were 2,431 graduates from these two universities. 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. Supplementary compulsory education, also known as fundamental supplementary education, is a formal educational activity for adults and includes elementary through junior high school level courses. Supplementary advanced education, or continuing education, enrolls students from four different areas: 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. Those enrolled in short-term supplementary education usually do so in either general or technical educational courses. In SY2000, 278,731 students attended 972 supplementary schools. Approximately 39,650 elementary and junior high students were in 677 schools; 5,600 senior high and 119,760 senior vocational students were in 236 schools; 72,249 junior college students were in 45 schools; 5,101 supplementary college students were in 14 schools; and 36,371 students were in the two open universities. There are two kinds of undergraduates in open universities: regular students and students of electives. To be admitted, regular students must be at least 20 years old and have senior high or equivalent qualifications. To graduate, regular students must acquire 128 credits. Students of electives must be at least 18 years of age, are not required to have senior-high equivalent qualifications, and need to get 40 credits before becoming regular students. If they choose to continue, they can get their bachelor's degree for another 88 credits. In addition, 43,619 students participated in the Practical Technical Program offered by 159 schools. This program provides practical skills and craftsmanship for those who do not wish to continue academic studies. Short-term Supplementary Classes A large number 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 the end of May 2001, there were 8,666 such schools registered with the government; however, a much larger number operate without licenses. About 15.38 percent of Taiwan's registered cram schools are in Taipei City, 11.93 percent in Kaohsiung City, and 72.69 percent in other areas of Taiwan. Metropolitan areas have the largest market for short-term supplementary education. A large number of students also attend 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. Continuing Education Outside of Taiwan In August 2001, the Ministry of Education announced that universities in Taiwan would be able to open extension programs outside Taiwan. This change in policy was made to answer local universities' demands to offer extension programs for Taiwan businessmen in Southeast Asia and the Chinese mainland, as these two areas have the highest number of Taiwan businessmen. Under this plan, credits earned in the extension programs will be applicable toward a bachelor's or master's degree. Current regulations will also be revised to accommodate the overseas education program. SY2000 Non-ROC Students in Taiwan Overseas Chinese are offered places in Taiwan's educational system. In the 1999 school year, there were 10,875 overseas Chinese at various levels in the system, including 299 elementary school, 660 junior high, 414 senior high school, and 429 senior vocational school students. However, most overseas Chinese students come to Taiwan for higher education. There were 550 overseas Chinese in junior colleges and 6,529 in colleges and universities. (The remaining 1,994 overseas Chinese were in special preparatory, technical training classes, or supplementary schools.) There were 7,524 foreign students in Taiwan, the overwhelming majority (6,579) of whom were studying Chinese language. Source: Ministry of Education International Exchanges Cultural Exchanges The Ministry of Education sponsors many activities to enhance international cultural and educational exchanges. For instance, in 2000, it offered grants to 71 international academic meetings and invited many outstanding foreign professionals to share their expertise with scholars and students in Taiwan. In 2000, the MOE also subsidized 810 experts and scholars to attend international academic meetings overseas. In order to provide youngsters a chance to broaden their views and experience different cultures, various performing groups were organized for overseas exchanges by the MOE, which assisted some 102 performing groups from schools of different levels. Some 3,408 participants took part in these exchanges. Scholastic Exchanges Cultural exchange agreements have been signed with friendly nations to strengthen scholastic exchanges. Scholarships and donations of books and other publications have been offered. In SY2000, 7,524 foreign students from 83 countries studied in the ROC. About 74 percent of these students were from Asia, while 13 percent were from North and South America. Eighty-seven percent of them came to study the Chinese language. 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 31,054 overseas student visas in 2000. Other Educational Options Adult 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, 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 university to offer such courses 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. Copyright (C) July 2002, Government Information Office.   All rights reserved.   Site design by L.F. Lee Best viewed with Netscape 4.x or IE 5.x (medium font) at 800 x 600 True Color (32 bit) resolution