The controversial aspects of the new high school history curriculum will not be put on students’ tests. That’s the word from Cabinet spokesman Sun Lih-chyun on Tuesday.
Sun said that the old and new curriculum will be taught and the education ministry will continue to reflect on and discuss the issue. Students had stormed the education ministry last Thursday in protest of the new history curriculum which many believe is China-centric.
Thirty three persons were arrested for intruding on the ministry including 3 journalists. People have been saying that the police infringed on freedom of the press when they arrested the reporters. Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je believes that the president and government should give the public an explanation.
Sun said the government respects freedom of the press. "We protect freedom of the press and support this important right. That day, the premier told the education ministry to take care of these matters appropriately and that if the journalists were doing their reporting work, they should not be bothered, but others should be dealt with according to the law," said Sun.
Sun said that the evidence would speak for itself as to whether the police did beyond what was lawful.