TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The Ministry of Education (教育部), Taiwan's education authority, approved Monday (Dec. 22) the dissolution of Chiayi County's Tung Chi High School (同濟中學) due to financial distress, marking another closure amid Taiwan's declining student population. The school must now proceed with liquidation and allocation of surplus assets as mandated by law.
Tung Chi High School entered special guidance in 2022 due to deteriorating finances and applied to cease all admissions under Article 11 of the Regulations for Schools under Special Guidance (預警學校與專案輔導學校認定輔導及監督辦法), a government monitoring program. The ministry approved this cessation, effective with the 113th academic year, with operations ceasing by July this year. The dissolution review adhered to the Private Senior High School and Above Exit Ordinance, a law governing school closures.
The ministry simultaneously approved a new board of directors for Miaoli County's Ta Cheng High School (大成高中), which stopped admissions after entering special guidance in February 2023. Ta Cheng High School failed to meet improvement deadlines and will cease operations by July next year. The school faces similar financial challenges stemming from declining enrollment.
Taiwan's high school student population dropped to 278,503 in 2024, down from 311,213 ten years ago, reflecting the impact of low birth rates and an aging society. The declining enrollment has forced numerous private schools to close in recent years. Demographic trends suggest more institutions may encounter similar financial difficulties, potentially leading to additional closures. ◼
