Hou slams Lai for neglecting academia in ’108 Curriculum’

TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Kuomintang (KMT) presidential candidate Hou Yu-ih criticized his counterpart in the Democratic Progressive Party, Lai Ching-te, on Saturday (Dec. 9) for allegedly neglecting the concerns of industry and academia amid the controversy surrounding the "108 curriculum" in Taiwan.

Hou accused Lai of prioritizing electoral politics over addressing issues such as the weakening of fundamental subjects in schools and the academic pressures faced by students, which Hou believes could harm Taiwan's future industries.

In a Facebook post, Hou expressed concern about the declining academic performance in basic subjects among university students. This trend has been noted by top professors in science and engineering fields, particularly among the first batch of students educated under the new curriculum.

The removal of classical Chinese literature from the "108 curriculum" has drawn strong criticism from high school teachers, including Ku Chui-chih, a Mandarin teacher at Taipei First Girls High School (TFG).

Hou's stance reflects the broader critique that Lai's vision for transforming Taiwan into a high-tech hub may not adequately address the concerns of industry and academia, particularly regarding curriculum reform and talent development.

Hou pledged to revive the National Education Conference, dormant since 2013, if elected, to address the issues related to the "108 curriculum." He urged Lai to engage with the controversy and avoid manipulating generational divides for electoral purposes.