Education activists said Sunday that Taiwan needs to cater education to students’ talents and needs. They were discussing education reform at a forum on Sunday.
A large number of officials and academics met to discuss the effects of education reform in Taiwan. They said that while intentions are good, the new system leaves students from disadvantaged backgrounds behind. The intention was to lessen students’ burden but it’s resulted in an increase in enrollment at cram schools.
National Taiwan University Psychology Professor Hwang Kwang-kuo said the Sunflower Student Movement highlights the fact that students are facing unemployment, low wages, and high housing prices. He said they don’t have high hopes for the future, and that’s partly due to education reforms.
Hwang said that Taiwan needs to give students a full 12-year education and to educate people according to their talents. He said they need to provide classes that are suitable to students’ abilities, and that’s the only way that students will enjoy learning. Hwang said Taiwan needs to provide high quality education for the nation to be able to make progress.