The legislature has voted to increase the education budget. The legislature made the decision on Friday, when it passed an amendment to a bill that governs spending on education.
Under the revision, passed Friday, the annual education budget will grow by NT$12 billion (US$4 billion). NT$5.7billion (US$190 million) of the budget will be set aside for the central government, with the rest going to local governments.
Earlier, Premier Mao Chi-kuo told lawmakers that the revision may apply to the 2017 fiscal year.
The education ministry is planning to use the increased budget to relax rules on student loan repayment. In the future, students in need will be eligible to extend the length of their loan repayment period from one year to five.
The budget will also be used to help children of new immigrants and to tackle problems resulting from Taiwan's low birth rate and rapidly aging population.