The presidents of five universities in Taiwan have issued a statement in support of the education ministry’s decision to allow the use of both the old and the new curricula.
The joint statement was issued on Sunday by the presidents of Chung Yuan Christian University, Tatung University, Chinese Culture University, Shih Chien University, and China University of Technology. Their statement came as protests against the revised high school curriculum continue in front of the education ministry. Protestors say the curriculum is China-centric and illegal. They also call on the education ministry to retract the curriculum.
Earlier this year, an administrative court ruled that the adjustment of high school curriculum guidelines violated the law because it did not follow due process. But the ministry refused to retract the curriculum, saying that old textbooks can still be used and the contents considered controversial will not appear in national exams.
In the statement, the five university presidents urged the education ministry to invite scholars and experts to discuss the issue with students in order to find a consensus. They also said they condemn any behaviors that are out of line and violate the democratic process. They called on student protestors to leave the education ministry as soon as possible.