Education in the Republic of China (Taiwan)

Educational oversight Minister of Education	Ministry of Education Tu Cheng-sheng
National education budget	NT$ 608.6 billion (2002)
Primary language(s) of education	Mandarin, some instruction in Holo (Taiwanese), Hakka, and various aboriginal languages
Central system
Literacy (2003)  • Men  • Women	96.1 % 97 % 95 %
Enrollment  • Primary  • Secondary  • Post-secondary	5,384,9261 2,153,7172 1,676,970 1,270,1943
Attainment  • Secondary diploma  • Post-secondary diploma	— —
1Ministry of Education website 2Includes Kindergarten 3Includes junior colleges

The Republic of China has a comprehensive educational system influenced by the Japanese educational system (Taiwan Island and the Pescadores were a Japanese colony). The system has been successful in that pupils in the Republic of China boast some of the highest test scores in the world, especially in math and science;^{[citation needed]} however, it has also been criticized for placing excessive pressure on students and eschewing creativity in favor of rote memorization. Recent educational reforms intended to address these criticisms are a topic of intense debate in the Republic of China. Image File history File links ROC_ed_logo. ... Funding or financing is to provide capital (funds), which means money for a project, a person, a business or any other private or public institution. ... The New Taiwan Dollar (新臺幣 or 新台幣; ISO 4217 code TWD; common abbreviation NT$), or simply Taiwan Dollar, is the currency of the Republic of China (on Taiwan). ... For album titles with the same name, see 2002 (album). ... A language is a system, used for communication, comprising a finite set of arbitrary symbols and a set of rules (or grammar) by which the manipulation of these symbols is governed. ... Mandarin, or Beifanghua (Chinese: 北方話; Pinyin: BÄ›ifānghuà; literally Northern Dialect(s)), or Guanhua (Traditional Chinese: 官話; Simplified Chinese: 官话; Pinyin: Guānhuà; literally official speech) is a category of related Chinese dialects spoken across most of northern and southwestern China. ... See alternative meanings for other possible definitions. ... Henan, Shanxi, Guangdong, Jiangxi and Fujian provinces The Hakka are Han Chinese people whose ancestors are said to have originated in the Henan and Shanxi provinces of northern China over 1,700 years ago. ... World literacy rates by country The traditional definition of literacy is the ability to use language–to read, write, listen, and speak. ... A large elementary school in Magome, Japan. ... Secondary education - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia /**/ @import /skins-1. ... ... Educational attainment is a term commonly used by statisticans and the US Census Bureau to refer to the highest degree of education an individual has completed. ... Secondary education - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia /**/ @import /skins-1. ... ... A kindergarten classroom in Afghanistan. ... For the Indian grade 11 and 12 schools, see Junior College A junior college is a two-year post-secondary school whose main purpose is to provide a method of obtaining academic, vocational and professional education. ... Motto: Three Principles of the People (三民主義 San-min Chu-i) Anthem: National Anthem of the Republic of China Capital Taipei (de facto)  Nanking (de jure)1  Largest city Taipei Mandarin (GuóyÇ”) Government Semi-presidential system  - President Chen Shui-bian  - Vice President Annette Lu  - Premier Su Tseng-chang Establishment Xinhai... A typical Japanese classroom Education has been and is an important issue in Japanese society. ... This article is about the history, geography, and people of the island known as Taiwan. ... The Pescadores (Traditional Chinese: 澎湖群島; Hanyu Pinyin: Pénghú Qúndăo; Tongyong Pinyin: Pénghú Cyúndăo; Wade-Giles: Peng-Hu Chun-Tao; Taiwanese POJ: Phêⁿ-ô·-kōan, from Portuguese, fishermen, pron. ... It has been suggested that Colonisation be merged into this article or section. ... Incorrect shortening of Mathematics. ... Part of a scientific laboratory at the University of Cologne. ...

The suicide rate for students in the ROC is high and comparable to the rates in Japan. This is often attributed to the tremendous academic pressures faced by students.

The literacy rate in 2003 was 96.1%. World literacy rates by country The traditional definition of literacy is the ability to use language–to read, write, listen, and speak. ... 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

On 12 December 2006, the Legislative branch of the Republic of China amended the Education Basic Law Article 8 and 15 abolish corporal punishment in all schools. Taiwan thereby becomes the 109th country in the world to abolish corporal punishment. [1] December 12 is the 346th day (347th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian calendar, with 19 days remaining. ... 2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

Public education

The public education system in the Republic of China spans from kindergarten through university. Public education has been compulsory from elementary school through junior high school since 1968. In 2001 roughly 16% of the central budget was spent on education. Primary or elementary education is the first years of formal, structured education that occurs during childhood. ... Middle school and junior high school cover a period of education that straddles primary education and secondary education and serve as a bridge between them. ... 1968 (MCMLXVIII) was a leap year starting on Monday (the link is to a full 1968 calendar). ... This article is about the year 2001. ...

Access to high school and university is controlled by a series of national exams. Discipline in public schools of all levels is generally very tight with school uniforms and morning reveille being the norm. Students of all levels through high school are responsible for cleaning their own classrooms and areas around the school, cleanup time being a daily ritual. Corporal punishment is officially banned, but many reports suggest it is still practiced by many teachers, due in no small part to the fact that most parents support it. High school is a name used in some parts of the world, and particularly in North America, to describe the last segment of compulsory secondary education. ... Representation of a university class, 1350s. ... Corporal punishment is the deliberate infliction of pain intended to correct behavior or to punish. ...

The school year consists of two semesters. The fall semester begins in early September and runs till late January or early February. Winter vacation typically runs from two to three weeks around the Lunar New Year. Spring semester begins following the Lantern Festival in mid February and ends in early June. From middle school on, many schools hold "optional supplementary classes" during winter and summer vacation as well as after normal school hours. Despite the name, in many cases participation is compulsory. The language of instruction is Mandarin. A banner of the celebration of Chinese New Year. ... Lantern Festival in Taiwan Lantern Festival 2006 Rogers Chinese Lantern Festival at Toronto, Ontario The Lantern Festival (Simplified Chinese: , Traditional Chinese: ; pinyin: yuánxiāojié), also known as the Shang Yuan Festival, is a Chinese festival celebrated on the fifteenth day of the first month in the lunar year in... Mandarin, or Beifanghua (Chinese: 北方話; Pinyin: Běifānghuà; literally Northern Dialect(s)), or Guanhua (Traditional Chinese: 官話; Simplified Chinese: 官话; Pinyin: Guānhuà; literally official speech) is a category of related Chinese dialects spoken across most of northern and southwestern China. ...

Primary education

Elementary schools

Elementary schools in the Republic of China span grades 1 through 6, classes are held from Monday through Friday, typically from 7:30 AM through 4PM (or noon on Wednesdays). Subjects include:

• Mandarin: The official language of instruction.
• Mathematics: Mathematics education begins with the basics and reaches introductory algebra and geometry by the 6th grade.
• Science: Comprehensive science classes covering basic biology, physics, and chemistry.
• English: English is a compulsory subject within the mainstream school system from Grade 3 Elementary School and up.
• Native languages: Additional language classes in Taiwanese and Hakka are offered.
• Social studies
• Physical education
• Music
• Art

Like middle schools, students are typically assigned to the elementary school closest to their registered place of residence. This leads some parents to file their children's household registration with other relatives or friends for the purpose of sending their children to what are perceived as better schools. Algebra is a branch of mathematics concerning the study of structure, relation and quantity. ... Table of Geometry, from the 1728 Cyclopaedia. ... Taiwanese (pe̍h-oē-jī: Tâi-oân-oē or Tâi-gí; Traditional Chinese: ; pinyin: Táiyǔ, Táiwānhuà) is a dialect of Min Nan Chinese spoken by about 70% of Taiwans population. ... Hakka is one language in the family of languages known as Chinese. ...

Secondary education

Junior high school

Junior high school spans grades 7 through 9 and is the last half of compulsory education. Unlike the slower pace of elementary school, junior high students typically have a single goal in life: to score high on the national senior high school entrance exams at the end of 9th grade. Consequently, the pressure on students from teachers and parents is intense. Though instruction officially ends around 4PM, students often stay in school till as late as 8 or 9PM for "extra classes" (which typically consist of extra quizzes and review).

Subject matter covered includes:

• Literature: Classical and modern Chinese literature and poetry, composition and public speaking.
• Mathematics: Covers single and two variable algebra, geometry, proofs, trigonometry, and pre-calculus.
• English
• Biology: Taken during first year, includes more in depth studies and lab work.
• Physics and Chemistry: Taken during second and third year. More rigorous introduction to physical laws and equations, includes lab work.
• Civics & moral values
• History: Focus on the history of China and East Asia, also includes world history.
• Geography: Geography of Taiwan, Mainland China, and the world. In the past students were taught the 1947 map of China leading many to criticize that "history was being taught as geography". Recent years have seen a growing emphasis on Taiwan.
• Physical education
• Home economics & crafts
• Music
• Scout education: Outdoor survival skills.

At the end of their third year, students participate in the national senior high school entrance exams and are assigned to senior high schools based upon their scores. Students may also participate in a separate national vocational school entrance exam if they wish to attend vocational school. In both cases, public schools are usually the most popular while private schools have traditionally been viewed as a backup for those unable to score high enough for public schools.

Roughly 94.7% of junior high school students continue on to senior high or vocational school.

Senior high school

Senior high school spans grades 10 through 12, again the main goal of students is to score highly on the national university entrance exams at the end of their third year. The pace is just as, if not more intense than junior high school.

Discipline in educational institutions from high school and up (including vocational schools) are the responsibility of military officers stationed at the individual schools (as opposed to elementary and junior high school where teachers and school administrators were responsible for discipline). In addition to the normal subjects, students are also required to attend a military education class covering issues such as civil defense, military drills, national defense, and basic firearms training. In the past, high (and vocational) school students were expected to take on civil defense duties in the event of national emergency. The old United States civil defense logo. ... The examples and perspective in this article do not represent a worldwide view. ...

In many high schools incoming students may select science or liberal arts tracks depending on where their interests lie. As one might expect, the science track includes more rigorous science and math classes intended to prepare the student for a career in the sciences and engineering; the liberal arts track places a heavier emphasis on literature and social studies to prepare students for a future in those fields.

At the end of their third year, college bound students participate in the national university entrance exams in hopes of attending a four-year university.

Vocational schools

Vocational schools are three-year institutions similar to normal high schools. Unlike normal high schools, they place a heavier emphasis on practical and vocational skills. Incoming students typically choose a single concentration, such as electrical engineering, civil engineering, computer science or business. Some specialized vocational schools also offer programs in seamanship and agriculture. Vocational school graduates may also participate in the national university entrance exams. It is not uncommon for students to select vocational school over high school and proceed to a four year college afterwards. Seamanship is the art of operating a ship or boat. ...

Higher education

See also: List of universities in Taiwan The following is a list of universities in the Republic of China on Taiwan: Aletheia University China Medical University Chinese Culture University Chang Gung University Chang Jung Christian University Chaoyang University of Technology Cheng Shiu University Chia Nan University of Pharmacy and Science Chienkuo Technology University Ching Yun University Chung...

There are over 100 institutions of higher education in Taiwan. Roughly 66.6% of the over 100,000 students taking the national university entrance exams are accepted to a higher educational institution. Nonetheless a high score is desired as admission to the most prestigious institutions (such as National Taiwan University) is still highly selective. National Taiwan University (Traditional Chinese: ; Simplified Chinese: ; Hanyu Pinyin: ; Tongyong Pinyin: ; Wade-Giles: Kuo2-li4 tai2-wan1 ta4-hsüeh2; POJ: Kok-li̍p Tâi-ôan Tāi-ha̍k; abbreviation NTU) is a national university in the capital Taipei, Republic of China. ...

University

Taiwan has several universities, both public and private. Traditionally, public schools are viewed as being more prestigious then private schools. Engineering is extremely popular and engineering degrees account for over a quarter of the bachelor degrees awarded in Taiwan. Popular majors include: electrical engineering and medicine (traditionally the most selective, and most prestigious). Engineering is the application of scientific or mathematical principles with due reference to economics, society and environment to develop solutions to technical problems, creating products, facilities, and structures that are useful to people. ... Electrical Engineers design power systems… … and complex electronic circuits. ... This article is about the field and science of medical practice and health care. ...

Some of the most highly regarded universities in Taiwan include:

• National Taiwan University: The most prestigious university in Taiwan, has a very well respected medical school.
• National Tsinghua University: Famous in the natural sciences, such as physics and chemistry.
• National Cheng Kung University: Prestigious engineering programs. One of only two universities in Taiwan to offer a program in aerospace engineering.
• National Chiao Tung University: Famous for electrical engineering due to its proximity to the Hsinchu Science Park. Also has a reputation as a male-dominated "geek school".
• National Chengchi University: Famous in management

In contrast with junior high and high school, college life in Taiwan is generally seen as being rather relaxed. This has led many people to send their children abroad (typically to the United States) where universities are seen as being more rigorous. Graduate degrees from the U.S. and Europe are also highly prized with many students applying to foreign graduate schools after completing university (though the number has declined somewhat in recent years). An average of 13000 university graduates per year choose to pursue graduate studies in the U.S.. National Taiwan University (Traditional Chinese: ; Simplified Chinese: ; Hanyu Pinyin: ; Tongyong Pinyin: ; Wade-Giles: Kuo2-li4 tai2-wan1 ta4-hsüeh2; POJ: Kok-li̍p Tâi-ôan Tāi-ha̍k; abbreviation NTU) is a national university in the capital Taipei, Republic of China. ... National Tsing Hua University (國立清華大學) is a university in Hsinchu, Taiwan, Republic of China. ... The first few hydrogen atom electron orbitals shown as cross-sections with color-coded probability density. ... Chemistry (from Greek χημεία khemeia[1] meaning alchemy) is the science of matter at the atomic to molecular scale, dealing primarily with collections of atoms, such as molecules, crystals, and metals. ... National Cheng Kung University (Traditional Chinese: 國立成功大學; Simplified Chinese: 国立成功大学; Hanyu Pinyin: ; Wade-Giles: Kuo2-li4 Cheng2-kung1 Ta4-hsüeh2; Tongyong Pinyin: GuóLì ChéngGong DàSyué), abbreviated as NCKU (成大, Chéng Dà), is located in Tainan City, Taiwan. ... Aerospace engineering is the branch of engineering that concerns aircraft, spacecraft, and related topics. ... National Chiao Tung University (Traditional Chinese: ; Hanyu Pinyin: Gúolì Jiāotōng Dàxúe; Tongyong Pinyin: Gúolì Jiaotong Dàsyúe; abbreviated as NCTU) is a top-tier research university located in Hsinchu, Taiwan, ROC. It was established by former Chiao Tung University faculty members and alumni... Electrical Engineers design power systems… … and complex electronic circuits. ... Hsinchu Science Park (Chinese: 新竹科學園區; Hanyu Pinyin: XÄ«nzhú KÄ“ Xué Yuán QÅ«) was established by the government of the Republic of China on December 15, 1980. ... 國立政治大學 National Chengchi University © National Chengchi University National Chengchi University (Traditional Chinese: 國立政治大學; Simplified Chinese: 国立政治大学; Pinyin: Guólì Zhèngzhì Dàxué; National Political University) is a public university at Muzha in Wenshan District, Taipei City, Taiwan. ... World map showing Europe A satellite composite image of Europe Europe is one of the seven traditional continents of the Earth. ...

Medical school

Unlike the U.S., medical school in Taiwan begins as an undergraduate major and lasts seven years (six years for dentistry), with the final year being hands on training at a teaching hospital. Graduates of medical school may elect to continue on to graduate school to pursue a doctoral degree. Faculty of Medical Sciences of the State University of Campinas, in Campinas, Brazil A medical school, or faculty of medicine, is a tertiary educational institution or part of such an institution that teaches medicine. ... A Dentist and Dental Assistant perform surgery on a patient. ... A Teaching hospital is a hospital which provides medical training. ...

Law school

Like medicine, law school is selected as an undergraduate major and lasts five years.

Teacher training

Most higher educational institutions offering programs in education run five years, with students receiving teaching credentials at the end of the program. Students consenting to teach for a set number of years after graduating receive tuition waivers from the government.

Technical institutes

Taiwan offers four types of technical institutes each targeted at a specific age group.

5 year junior colleges

Students enter five-year junior colleges after graduating junior high school and passing a national exam. The curriculum is similar to that of vocational schools with the exception that 5 year junior colleges run for two additional years. Students graduate with the equivalent of an associate degree and are ready to enter the workforce. Some students may choose to continue their studies at a two year technical institute or apply to transfer into a four year university.

2 year junior colleges

Two-year junior colleges offer advanced vocational training for graduates of vocational or senior high schools. Students graduate with an associates degree and may continue on to a 2 year technical institute, transfer to a four year university, or enter the workforce.

2 year technical institutes

Two year technical institutes offer vocational training for graduates of 2 year technical colleges.

4 year technical institutes

4 year technical institutes typically accept senior high and vocational school graduates, and offer in depth job and vocational training.

Graduate school

Private education

Private educational institutions are pervasive in Taiwan ranging from private schools at all levels to supplementary cram schools or buxiban. Cram schools (also known as crammers) are specialized schools that train their students to meet particular goals, most commonly to pass the entrance examinations of high schools or universities. ...

Cram schools

With the intense pressure placed on students to achieve by parents, many students enroll in private after-school classes intended to supplement their regular education. These cram schools are an extremely large (and profitable) business in Taiwan and have been criticized by some as being the result of cultural overemphasis on academic achievement. Ranging from well known chain schools such as Joy and Hess, who each have hundreds of locations islandwide, through to single independents, the market for this type of school is huge. Popular subjects in cram schools include English, math, and the natural sciences. Test prep classes are also popular amongst junior and senior high school students. English studies is an academic discipline that includes the study of literatures written in the English language (including literatures from the U.K., U.S., Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, India, South Africa, and the Middle East, among other areas), English linguistics (including English phonetics, phonology, syntax, morphology, semantics... Incorrect shortening of Mathematics. ... The term natural science as the way in which different fields of study are defined is determined as much by historical convention as by the present day meaning of the words. ...

Classes are generally very orderly and controlled, with class sizes as high as 200 or so students in some famous institutions. The quality of cram schools varies considerably. Some of the larger schools and chains write their own programs and produce their own textbooks. To date, the largest private school in the Republic of China is Hess Educational Organization. Motto: Three Principles of the People (三民主義 San-min Chu-i) Anthem: National Anthem of the Republic of China Capital Taipei (de facto)  Nanking (de jure)1  Largest city Taipei Mandarin (GuóyÇ”) Government Semi-presidential system  - President Chen Shui-bian  - Vice President Annette Lu  - Premier Su Tseng-chang Establishment Xinhai... Hess Educational Organization (or Hess for short) is the single largest private provider of English education in the Republic of China (ROC) and has an estimated 60,000 students currently enrolled. ...

Kindergartens and preschool

While many public kindergartens and preschools exist in Taiwan, private kindergartens and preschools are also quite popular. Many private preschools offer accelerated courses in various subjects to compete with public preschools and capitalize on public demand for academic achievement. Curriculum at such preschools often encompasses subject material such as science, art, physical education and even maths classes. The majority of these schools are part of large school chains, which operate under franchise arrangements. In return for annual fees, the chain enterprises may supply advertising, curriculum, books, materials, training, and even staff for each individual school. Part of a scientific laboratory at the University of Cologne. ... This article or section is not written in the formal tone expected of an encyclopedia article. ... Physical instruction at the U.S. Naval Training Station, Newport, RI, 1917 In most educational systems, physical education (PE), also called physical training (PT) or gym in less progressive settings, is a course in the curriculum which utilizes learning in the cognitive, affective and psycho motor domains in a play... ... Franchising (from the French for honesty[citation needed]) is a method of doing business wherein a franchisor licenses trademarks and tried and proven methods of doing business to a franchisee in exchange for a recurring payment, and usually a percentage piece of gross sales or gross profits as well as...

There has been a huge growth in the number of privately owned and operated English immersion preschools in Taiwan since 1999. These English immersion preschools generally employ native English speaking teachers to teach the whole preschool curriculum in an ‘English only’ environment. The legality of these types of schools has been called into question on many occasions, yet they continue to prosper. Some members of Taiwanese society have raised concerns as to whether local children should be placed in English immersion environments at such a young age, and have raised fears that the students abilities in their mother language may suffer as a result. The debate continues, but at the present time, the market for English Immersion Preschools continues to grow. 1999 (MCMXCIX) was a common year starting on Friday, and was designated the International Year of Older Persons by the United Nations. ...

References

• This article contains material from the CIA World Factbook which, as a US government publication, is in the public domain. - Taiwan

The World Factbook 2006 (government edtion) cover. ... The public domain comprises the body of all creative works and other knowledge—writing, artwork, music, science, inventions, and others—in which no person or organization has any proprietary interest. ...

See also

• Academia Sinica
• Happy Corner (hazing ritual popular among students)
• Gender Equity Education Act (Taiwan)

The Academia Sinica (Chinese:中央研究院; pinyin: Zhōngyāng Yánjiùyuàn; Latin, Chinese Academy), headquartered in the Nangang district of Taipei, is the national academy for the Republic of China on Taiwan. ... A Happy Corner ceremony Happy Corner, also known as Aluba (or hitting the tree) in Taiwan, is a hazing ritual that is popular among Asian male students, especially those in higher education institutes such as universities, as well as among adolescent males in middle and high school. ... Gender Equity Education Act () of Republic of China was announced on 2004 June 23. ...

External links

• ROC Ministry of Education
• China Medical University