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Taiwan high schools to offer mental health leave this year
Discover Taiwan’s new initiative allowing students three days of mental health leave per semester, starting this academic year, amid concerns from the National Federation of Teachers Unions about potential school disruptions.
2024/08/27 16:22
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More Hong Kong, Macau students work in Taiwan post-grad
Discover how Hong Kong and Macau students are increasingly choosing to work in Taiwan post-graduation, with a 30.42% rise from 2021 to May 2024. Learn about the sectors they’re entering and the government’s supportive policies.
2024/07/18 14:34
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Taiwan debates raising school counselor salaries
Explore the push for better pay for school counselors in Taiwan as legislators discuss amending the Student Guidance and Counseling Act to address high turnover rates and ensure students receive consistent support.
2024/07/11 14:11
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Taiwan begins mental health days for high school students
Discover how Taiwan’s Ministry of Education is prioritizing student well-being by introducing "mental and physical adjustment leave" in high schools, aiming to support mental health.
2024/07/03 10:01
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Tech studies surge in popularity among Taiwan’s students
Explore the shifting landscape of Taiwan’s higher education in 2023, as revealed by the Ministry of Education’s latest statistics. Discover the significant rise in technology students, the decline in humanities enrolment, and the overall decrease in student numbers due to a falling birth rate. Uncover the trends in high school education and the changing dynamics in STEM fields, highlighting the evolving priorities and challenges in Taiwan’s academic sector.
2024/05/06 18:03
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Vision health declines with age in Taipei’s young students
In Taipei City, a study reveals an increasing trend of poor vision among elementary and junior high students with age, with first graders showing a 25.9% rate, escalating to 77.4% in ninth graders. Female students exhibit higher rates of poor vision compared to males. Despite a slight decrease in elementary students and a minor increase among junior high students in the 2023 academic year, overall vision health has improved since 2014, attributed to the city’s efforts in annual professional vision screenings and promoting eye care awareness. The study also notes differences in vision health across school types, with public elementary schools and private junior high schools showing the highest rates of poor vision.
2024/04/10 15:39
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Hualien students return to school after devastating quake
National Hualien Girls’ High School students return to classes after a 7.2 magnitude earthquake damaged school buildings. Despite fear, classes proceed normally as the principal assures students. Rebuilding costs are estimated at NT$200 million. Students remain hopeful for a return to normalcy.
2024/04/08 11:07
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Legislators urge inclusive HPV vaccine program in Taiwan
Lawmakers and health advocates in Taipei call for gender equality in cancer prevention policy, pushing for junior high school boys to be included in the public HPV vaccination program. Data shows higher rates of oral HPV infections and head and neck cancer in males. Taipei City has already allocated funds for HPV vaccinations for boys, with calls for nationwide implementation. Suggestions include using increased tobacco health surcharge revenue to fund vaccinations. Calls for equal opportunities in cancer prevention measures for all students and a focus on lowering cancer risks for children.
2024/03/05 17:23
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Taiwan high schools to pilot mental health leave program
The Ministry of Education in Taipei launches a pilot program offering mental health leave for high school students, requiring parental consent and limiting leave to three days per semester. Universities have already implemented similar measures.
2024/02/17 14:44
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Taipei boosts lunch aid for needy students amid price hikes
Taipei City Government to increase lunch subsidies for underprivileged high school and vocational students from NT$55 to NT$65 per day in response to rising prices. The expanded subsidy scope now includes first- to third-year specialist college students. Approximately 17,500 students are expected to benefit from this program, with a budget of NT$8.5 million allocated for lunch expenses.
2024/02/15 13:37
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Keelung partners with UC Berkeley for remote courses
Keelung City Mayor George Hsieh has announced a collaboration with the University of California, Berkeley to offer a remote course for high school students in Keelung. Out of 249 applicants, 30 students will be selected for the program, which will begin next month. This initiative is part of Hsieh’s plan to promote academic excellence locally and he aims to introduce more courses in 2024 to provide Keelung’s top high schoolers with high-quality international education. The selected students will participate in a course focused on the autonomous vehicle industry, learning programming in Python and various algorithms. Classes will be held twice weekly from February 24 to March 24 at the city hall briefing room. Upon completion, students will receive a certificate of completion from UC Berkeley. This collaboration aims to encourage local education and retain talented students in Keelung.
2024/01/29 17:08
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Tainan Mayor grants schools autonomy amid cold snap
Tainan City Mayor Huang Wei-che has given schools in the city the authority to determine their own holiday schedules based on student count and weather conditions. While winter vacation has already started for junior high and elementary schools, students attending tutoring and after-school programs will continue classes unless the schools themselves decide to give them days off. The Tainan City Government is also taking steps to support the homeless population by providing warm clothing and hot meals. They have urged the homeless to seek shelter in available accommodations, with adequate bed spaces promised. Currently, there are 219 registered homeless people in Tainan City, with 130 living on the streets and the rest placed in local facilities. Rehabilitation centers have been set up in the South District and Xinying District to provide support and help these individuals rebuild their lives.
2024/01/23 17:32
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104 Job Bank ignites youth podcasting wave for career edge
104 Job Bank in Taiwan has launched the "Youth General Knowledge Class" event, inviting high-school and university students to create their own podcast episodes to gain industry experience and earn extra income. The job bank’s marketing director, Chang Pao-ling, stated that there are currently 25,000 job opportunities in sectors such as art design and print media that primarily evaluate candidates based on portfolio work. This trend has grown by 44% in the past five years. The initiative aims to help job seekers showcase their curatorial abilities and increase their competitiveness. Job categories such as "Communication Art/Design" and "Print media" demand portfolios for 13.5% and 13% of their openings, respectively. Recently, job postings have started asking for portfolios from applicants in various positions, including 3D animation designers, video game programmers, and web front-end engineers. A survey conducted by 104 Job Bank revealed that 64% of businesses advised students to take part-time jobs to broaden their perspective, while 45.3% expected students to join clubs or teams to foster skills in interpersonal communication and leadership. The initiative by 104 Job Bank aims to create opportunities for students to showcase their curation skills, build a personal portfolio, and tap into the growing popularity of podcasts. For more information, visit: 104青春通識課 | Podcast, Instagram, Facebook | 傳送門 (portaly.cc).
2024/01/17 17:11
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Kaohsiung’s Siaogang High hosts Hong Kong karate exchange
The Siaogang Senior High School’s karate team in Kaohsiung hosted a five-day technical exchange and learning session with the City University of Hong Kong’s team. The activity was endorsed by Yun-Yuan Yen, the director of student affairs and coach of the Siaogang High karate team, to enhance live-duration proficiency and pressure-resistance skills among scholars. Hsueh Yu-chin, the principal of Siaogang High, warmly welcomed the Hong Kong guests, emphasizing the importance of sports exchange. The Siaogang High karate team, established in 2000, has extensive competition management and training experience, nurturing national team athletes who have achieved accolades in various competitions. Siaogang High provides comprehensive support for further studies, with students in the sports class benefiting from the "108 Curriculum" for multi-faceted development. Principal Hsueh acknowledged the karate team’s achievements and emphasized the significance of international exchanges in improving technique and personal character. She expressed hope for students to make strides on the international athletic stage.
2024/01/05 22:20
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Hou Yu-ih unveils plan to combat school violence
Kuomintang (KMT) Presidential candidate Hou Yu-ih presents a four-point plan to address school violence, criticizing the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) administration’s social safety net. The plan includes stricter regulations, preventive education, enhanced security checks, and tougher punishments for gang intrusions. Hou’s response comes after a high school student in New Taipei City was slashed in the neck, putting campus security under scrutiny. He questions the effectiveness of the government’s Social Safety Net 2.0 plan and calls for revisions to regulations. Tung Yao-tsung, president of the New Taipei City Parents’ Association, supports Hou’s stance and urges the Ministry of Education to focus on an intermediary education system to improve school security. Retired teacher Wang Chiung-yuan emphasizes the need for a balanced approach that considers the rights of all students.
2024/01/04 18:20
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Excessive screen time contributes to Myopia surge in Taiwan
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a detrimental effect on Taiwanese students’ eyesight, with 81.61% of high-school students, 73.16% of junior high school students, and 45.23% of elementary students experiencing poor eyesight in the 2022-2023 academic year. Excessive use of electronic devices, such as smartphones and tablets, is a major contributing factor to the prevalence of myopia, the most common eye condition among children. A survey conducted by the Child Welfare League Foundation in 2019 found that the average age at which children own their first phone is ten. Ophthalmologists warn that individuals with myopia over 500 degrees are three times more likely to develop glaucoma and 5.5 times more likely to develop cataracts compared to their peers. The risks escalate for those with myopia over 700 degrees, as they are 44 times more likely to experience retinal detachment and 127 times more likely to suffer macular degeneration. Even successful myopia laser correction does not eliminate the potential risks of ocular diseases, as thinning of eye tissues and elongation of the eye axis persist. The golden period for myopia control is considered to be between 3 to 18 years of age, and various strategies such as increased outdoor activities, the use of mydriatic agents, Orthokeratology, daily disposable contact lenses designed for myopia control, and the latest children’s vision management lenses can be employed. These alarming rates highlight the urgent need to strike a balance between technology use and effective prevention strategies and early treatment for Taiwanese children.
2024/01/03 20:06
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New Taipei confirms one victim in school stabbing incident
New Taipei City confirms a single fatality in a recent junior high school stabbing. Authorities respond with enhanced student support and security measures. Over 340,000 students received counseling in 2023, addressing a range of issues from self-exploration to family challenges.
2023/12/27 18:27
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NEU calls on Taiwan’s MOE to remedy school safety measures
The National Federation of Education Unions (NEU) has called on Taiwan’s Ministry of Education (MOE) to take full responsibility for incidents like the recent student stabbing in New Taipei City. The NEU insists on changes to improve the current situation and prevent students from bringing prohibited items to school. The NEU believes that amendments made by the MOE have unfairly disempowered teachers, as many schools struggle to address students who bring banned items due to fear of backlash or being accused of bullying. NEU President Lin Shuo-chieh pointed out that teachers are hesitant to correct and punish behavior out of fear of being accused of "targeting" students or being reported for bullying. In 2022, the MOE amended regulations on the management of dangerous items carried by students. According to Article 28, unless explicitly stated by law or sufficient evidence suggests the student is involved in criminal activity or carries banned items, their bodies and belongings are not to be searched. Article 29 states that for high school inspections, two or more representatives of parents, student council members, or teachers must be present to examine students’ belongings or spaces. Lin claimed that the MOE’s rules are difficult for grassroots teachers to implement and can easily be twisted into accusations of bullying. He urged the MOE and local education departments to redefine regulations for handling protected students in order to prevent further deterioration of campus safety and safeguard the rights of other students.
2023/12/27 16:34
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Education Dept. confirms death of stabbed student
A junior high school student in New Taipei City has tragically died after being stabbed by another student. The victim suffered five knife wounds to his neck and lungs, despite receiving emergency treatment at the hospital. The incident occurred after a female student, who felt rebuked by the victim, recruited a male student to retaliate. The victim was stabbed twice in the lungs and neck, resulting in significant blood loss. Speculation of his death was confirmed by the Education Department. Following this incident, the department has pledged to strengthen measures to ensure student safety, including dispatching counselors and social workers for follow-up guidance and collaboration with police agencies. The Education Department is also providing support to the victim’s family through legal consultation and coordination with relevant departments. Additionally, efforts will be made to enhance teachers’ campus security capabilities.
2023/12/27 10:45
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Hsiao Bi-khim reassures students on Taiwan-U.S. relations
DPP vice presidential candidate Hsiao Bi-khim reassures students in Hsinchu City that protecting Taiwan’s democratic freedom is in the mutual interest of Taiwan and the United States. She addresses concerns about the history of Chiang Kai-shek’s pro-American stance and Donald Trump’s seemingly unfriendly attitude toward Taiwan. Hsiao emphasizes the importance of promoting Taiwan-U.S. relations with Taiwan at the heart of the process, identifying mutual benefits to strengthen Taiwan. She states that her approach in Washington would not interfere with or comment on the competition between U.S. parties, but rather focus on maintaining Taiwanese interests. Hsiao acknowledges that while Trump may use certain political language, as long as cooperation between Taiwan and the U.S. continues and Taiwanese interests are protected, it would be sufficient. The discussion also touches on concerns about subsidies for private high schools, with Hsiao emphasizing the importance of educational equity and Lai Ching-te’s intention to work towards making senior high school education free.
2023/12/26 20:20
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Lai Ching-te pledges unity, safety in presidential bid
DPP presidential candidate Lai Ching-te has proposed a comprehensive national vision, emphasizing unity, safety, and cross-strait cooperation based on mutual respect if elected. Lai aims to establish a transparent government by combating corruption, including illegal drugs and arms dealing, fraud, and embezzlement. He also plans to boost Taiwan’s economy by supporting the growth of small and medium enterprises in high-tech industries. Lai is committed to education equity, with plans to waive high school and vocational school fees and provide financial aid to private university students. He also pledges to improve long-term care facilities and services through the implementation of Long-term Care 3.0. Lai and his running mate, Hsiao Bi-khim, are dedicated to caring for the people, protecting Taiwan’s security, and advancing its development.
2023/12/26 20:06
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Ed. Bureau Director visits victim of campus knife attack
The director of the New Taipei City Education Bureau, Chang Ming-wen, changed his plans to visit a middle school student at the Far Eastern Memorial Hospital after the student was attacked on campus. The student, from a junior high school in Tucheng District, is in intensive care with serious injuries from a throat-slashing incident. The attack occurred when a male student confronted a female student during lunchtime, leading to verbal and physical assault. The male student used a folding knife to inflict multiple wounds on the victim, causing severe blood loss and cardiac arrest. The school principal stated that the altercation stemmed from discontentment with noise during lunch break. Police are investigating whether there were previous tensions between the students involved. The Education Bureau has prioritized the victim’s recovery and provided full medical assistance, as well as support to the family. Supervisors, social workers, and psychologists were dispatched to the school for assistance, and preliminary counseling has been offered to the students involved. The bureau has also called for increased attention to the affected students and enhanced campus security to ensure their physical and psychological safety.
2023/12/26 10:36
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Taipei mayor unveils restored TGH heritage building
Taipei First Girls High School’s Guangfu Building, a municipal heritage site, has reopened after a two-year renovation. Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an attended the unveiling ceremony and expressed gratitude to alumni for their donations. The Guangfu Building, constructed in 1933, is the most iconic structure of the high school. The Taipei City Government allocated over NT$100 million to support the restoration project, with additional contributions from alumni worldwide. Mayor Chiang reminisced about his school days and expressed the hope that all students would share the memory of this significant landmark.
2023/12/12 19:41
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Orange Devils band returns to enthrall Taiwan fans
The renowned Orange Devils, Kyoto Tachibana Senior High School’s marching band, have returned to Taiwan, performing at the National Concert Hall on Dec. 14. They also performed at Taipei First Girls High School and surprised guests with a flash performance at a hotel in Xizhi District, New Taipei City. The band previously entertained crowds in Kaohsiung. The visiting students and staff were impressed by the warmth and support they received from the local Taiwanese community and Japanese residents. Their presence highlights the cultural exchange between Taiwan and Japan, celebrating shared passions and friendships across borders.
2023/12/12 18:01
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Kaohsiung high school debates NT$70K Christmas tree cost
The administration of Kaohsiung Municipal Kaohsiung Girls’ Senior High School spent NT$70,000 on a Christmas tree designed by an alumna, leading to debate over its cost and design. The tree, themed in "Kaohsiung Girls’ Red," transitions from burgundy to festive Christmas red and ends in joyful pink, symbolizing the students’ virtues and providing blessings for the school’s centennial next year. The school clarified that the alumna designed the tree for free, and the cost covered only essential materials and decorations. The school also reinforced the tree’s structure due to strong winds in the area. The Christmas tree represents the alumni’s contributions, and the principal hopes students will see beyond the surface of the situation.
2023/12/12 13:30