Education in Taiwan
 |
|
| Minister of Education | Wu Se-hwa |
|---|---|
| Budget | NT$ 608.6 billion (US$ 20 billion) |
| Primary languages | Standard Chinese, some instruction in Taiwanese Hokkien, Hakka, various aboriginal languages and English |
| System type | Central |
| Total | 96% |
| Male | 97% |
| Female | 95% |
| Total | 5,384,9261 |
| Primary | 2,153,7172 |
| Secondary | 1,676,970 |
| Post secondary | 1,270,1943 |
| Secondary diploma | — |
| Post-secondary diploma | — |
The educational system in Taiwan is the responsibility of the Ministry of Education. The system produces pupils with some of the highest test scores in the world, especially in mathematics and science. It has been criticised for placing excessive pressure on students and eschewing creativity in favour of rote memorization. Recent educational reforms intended to address these criticisms are a topic of intense debate in Taiwan. Although current law mandates only nine years of schooling, 95% of students go on to high school, trade school or college. President Ma announced in January 2011 that the government would begin the phased implementation of a twelve-year compulsory education program by 2014.
The literacy rate in 2002 was 96.1%.
The Dutch East India Company, the Ming Chinese loyalists under Koxinga, Qing China, and the Japanese all implemented education systems on Taiwan. Christianity was taught under Dutch rule. Taiwan also houses many academies, such as Daodong Academy, Fongyi Academy, Huangxi Academy, Jhen Wen Academy, Mingxin Academy and Pingtung Academy.
The public education system in Taiwan spans nursery schools through university. Public education has been compulsory from primary school through junior high school since 1968. In 2001 roughly 16% of the central budget was spent on education. In January 2011, President Ma announced plans to implement a full twelve-year compulsory education program by 2014. In addition, financial support for preschool education would begin, starting with fee waivers.
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