The Education Ministry today introduced the digital learning program for the elderly, aiming to help the seniors adapt to the digital age and improve their lives.
Based on the National Science and Technology Council’s categorization of digital development, the Education Ministry has chosen five areas with digital development level ranges from two to four to set up the demonstration centers. The centers will be established in Miaoli, Yilan, Yunlin, and Chiayi counties, with one in Kaohsiung all to be opened sometime this year.
Department of Lifelong Education Director Lee Yu-jiuan (李毓娟) said each of these centers are fully equipped with unique features. In the Yilan center for example, the seniors can access the most advanced drone technology which can help them do field inspection or pesticide spraying, thus reducing their workloads. Meanwhile, the Miaoli center will teach the elderly to play Switch as a form of both entertainment and exercise, improving their social connections.
By 2025, Taiwan will become a super-aged society, meaning that one in every five people will be over 65 years old. Citing such statistics, Lee emphasized that the Education Ministry, Digital Affairs Ministry, Health Ministry and other agencies have been actively promoting the government’s plan to respond to the super-aged problem. The Education Ministry is working on the third phase of the mid-term plan for senior education development, aiming to create a learning environment that is free of age discrimination, bridging intergenerational gaps, and reducing digital divide. The ultimate goal is for the elderly to enjoy learning, regardless of age.