assessment of 結果共32筆

Taiwan’s Ministry of Education reduces the maximum number of regular exams for first and second graders to two per semester, emphasizing life habits and moral cultivation. The amendment aims to boost confidence and study abilities, suggesting schools use diverse assessments for a more flexible education approach, including digital learning for those unable to attend in-person classes due to various reasons.

J.W. Kuo, incoming Minister of Economic Affairs and chairman at Topco Scientific Co Ltd., focuses on assessing Taiwan’s power needs through industry visits, aiming for a comprehensive report on electricity demands and the potential extension of nuclear plants, prioritizing safety and public consensus.

Kaohsiung City offers subsidies up to NT$ 115,000 for reconstruction of old and dangerous buildings in 2024, addressing safety concerns following a 7.2 magnitude earthquake. Over half of the city’s residential units are more than 30 years old. Applications are open until December 2.

Following a powerful earthquake in Hualien, the National Land Management Agency (NLMA) received 848 requests for disaster assessment, with 42 buildings under severe red notice and 70 under yellow notice. The NLMA offers subsidies for structural safety assessments and urges residents to report any signs of damage for professional evaluation.

Minister of Education Pan Wen-chung announced that schools should play a role in evaluating at-risk youths returning from juvenile detention. The Ministry of Education plans to support the creation of educational centers for these youths. Legislator Ko Chih-en highlighted concerning statistics on student violence and juvenile offenders. Thorough assessments are crucial for these youths’ successful reintegration into school, according to Ko. Minister Pan emphasized the importance of school involvement in the reintegration process.

Premier Chen Chien-jen considers a unified Labor Day holiday in Taiwan, but faces challenges. Democratic Progressive Party Legislator Lin I-chin raises concerns about added costs for police and firefighters. Minister of the Interior Lin Yu-chang emphasizes the need for consensus, while Directorate-General of Personnel Administration Personnel Division Director-General Su Chun-jung calls for further impact assessment.

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.

The Taiwan High Speed Rail Corporation (THSRC) plans to recruit over 100 new talents, including maintenance technicians, engineers, and professionals in various fields. Generous offers include a monthly salary of up to NT$48,000 for electrical and signal maintenance technicians. The corporation provides comprehensive employee benefits, such as allowances and subsidies for food, clothing, accommodation, transportation, education, and entertainment. New employees will undergo three to six months of comprehensive training and must pass an assessment before starting their shifts. The THSRC also offers educational training opportunities for employees to complete professional training effectively and safely.

Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense (MND) Army Command Headquarters announces the extension of compulsory service to one year. Newly enlisted soldiers will undergo an eight-week training in recruit centers throughout northern, central, and southern Taiwan. The training program consists of four phases, focusing on core military values, physical fitness, combat skills, rifle shooting, and combat coaching. The final assessment includes physical combat skills, rifle shooting proficiency, and comprehensive combat coaching.

Taiwan prepares for the coldest period of the winter as Lunar New Year approaches, according to meteorological expert Peng Chi-ming. If a cold surge leads to disaster, it is classified as an ＂other natural disaster,＂ potentially resulting in work or school closures. Employers are advised to implement safety measures and consider potential risks caused by cold temperatures. Failure to comply with guidelines may result in fines of up to NT$300,000. Holidays due to low temperatures are unprecedented in Taiwan, with work or school suspension only possible if low temperatures cause a disaster. In extreme cold weather conditions, transportation, water, or electricity disruptions may lead to work or school suspension based on assessment by city and county chiefs.

The Ministry of National Defense in Taiwan has announced new training assessment rules for recruits, emphasizing strict criteria to qualify for additional allowances and professional certificates. This comes as Taiwan extends its mandatory military service to one year, with enhanced training activities including realistic military drills.

Taiwan’s Executive Yuan spokesman, Lin Tzu-lun, announced that the Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose by 2.71% in December 2023. Due to the CPI surpassing the legal threshold for two consecutive years, the government supports increasing stipends for retired military, civil, and education personnel by at least 4%. Fixed pension benefits for these individuals will be adjusted to account for inflation. The Executive Yuan has allocated NT$4.4 billion in the 2024 central government budget as a reserve fund for price fluctuations. The necessary adjustment mechanisms have been initiated, with a specialized assessment panel deliberating on the rate adjustment. The government aims to complete the related processes and backtrace the adjustments to January 1, 2024, to ensure the living standards of retired personnel.

The Minister of Education, Pan Wen-chung, has announced measures to ensure school safety following a brutal throat-slitting incident at a New Taipei City school. Premier Chen Chien-jen has directed the education ministry to provide psychological aid for students and staff, as well as enhance personnel and funding. Representatives from the Judicial Yuan, six municipalities, civil organizations, teachers, and parents will collaborate to prevent future tragedies. The government plans to reevaluate counseling and assessment mechanisms in intermediary education. Additionally, the potential addition of security staff in schools is being discussed. The assailant student has been detained, and the investigation will proceed according to the Juvenile Justice Act.

Taiwan’s health ministry has announced the establishment of the Center for Health Policy and Technology Assessment (CHPTA) with an investment of nearly NT＄200 million from the National Health Insurance Administration (NHIA). The CHPTA aims to expedite the review process for newly insured drugs by implementing parallel reviews. Starting from New Year’s Day in 2024, the new system is expected to significantly shorten the time required for reviewing newly insured drugs from an average of 13 months to 6 months. Health Minister Hsueh Jui-yuan emphasized that national health insurance plays a stabilizing role in Taiwanese society and disapproved of major amendments, ruling out the possibility of a ＂third generation health insurance.＂ He also expressed the belief that drug pricing policies under the health insurance system need reform, making the launch of CHPTA a significant reform effort.

Deputy Trade Representative Yang Jen-ni of Taiwan’s Office of Trade Negotiations (OTN) criticized China’s recent trade barriers against Taiwan, highlighting four major concerns. Yang pointed out that China’s investigation process is biased, unfair, nontransparent, and not in line with international norms. Documents such as applications, comments, respondent summaries, and non-confidential data were undisclosed or restricted to foreigners. Additionally, Yang condemned China for bypassing the Taiwan government during the investigation, prioritizing political objectives over economic ones. She also accused China of misinterpreting trade policies and creating a false narrative that Taiwan is unwilling to address disputes. Lastly, Yang criticized China for producing inflated and unverifiable data in its impact assessment, without solid evidence to support its claims. Yang urged China to abandon its one-sided political manipulation and suggested initiating consultations through the World Trade Organization (WTO) mechanism to resolve trade disputes.

The Cato Institute and the Fraser Institute have co-published the 2023 Human Freedom Index, revealing that Switzerland maintains its position as the country with the highest levels of human freedom. Taiwan, on the other hand, ranks 12th globally and claims the top spot for human freedom in Asia. The report highlights that the COVID-19 pandemic has generally led to a decline in human freedom, particularly in areas such as the rule of law, action, speech, assembly, association, and trade. Taiwan performs well in individual freedom, securing the 12th spot with a score of 8.98 out of 10, and ranks 11th in economic freedom with a score of 7.79, resulting in an overall score of 8.56. The Human Freedom Index is a comprehensive assessment of personal, civil, and economic freedoms worldwide, based on data from 2021 encompassing 165 jurisdictions.

The Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) in Taiwan is planning to promote digitalization in healthcare, with a focus on incorporating digital development into healthcare quality metrics. This initiative aligns with national policy directives and aims to support the national plan for digital policy. The successful pilot of virtual National Health Insurance (NHI) cards during the COVID-19 pandemic was highlighted as part of the broader commitment to digitalization. The MOHW, with support from the Ministry of Digital Affairs (MODA), is providing technological budget support for the cloud-based transition of health insurance systems at grassroots clinics. The goals of Taiwan’s digitalization healthcare system include reducing manpower on the medical end, improving healthcare quality, and increasing convenience for patients. The future strategy of the MOHW will combine financial subsidies with policy mandates, starting with medical centers. The plan is to encourage the integration of digital development into healthcare quality assessment, with the aim of fostering innovation, reducing labor costs, and enhancing healthcare quality.

Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) criticized Taiwan’s People Party (TPP) vice-presidential candidate Cynthia Wu for disregarding the ministry’s risk assessment and participating in the COP28 climate conference. MOFA expressed ＂puzzlement＂ and ＂regret＂ over her failure to publicly denounce China while questioning MOFA’s tactics internally. The ministry clarified that the constraints faced by the Legislative Yuan’s supervisory delegation at COP28 were primarily due to Wu’s status as a ＂vice-presidential candidate＂ and explained the potential increased risk of suppression to her. They pointed out that Wu’s controversial participation provided an opportunity for China to exert pressure, potentially hindering the delegation’s attendance and damaging Taiwan’s future chances of participating in such events. The ministry emphasized that no instructions were given to legislators to keep a low profile and remain silent, arguing that maintaining a low profile is conducive to Taiwan’s interests when participating in international activities.

Starting September 2024, Taipei’s male junior high school students will receive the 9-valent Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine for free, as announced by the Taipei City Department of Health. The aim of this initiative is to enhance herd immunity, reduce HPV infections, and lower the incidence of related cancers by vaccinating both male and female students. With a vaccination rate of 91% among junior high school girls in 2021, the Health Commissioner decided to extend the program to boys. Consent from students and parents will be required, and a health assessment will be conducted by a physician. Vaccination sites will be set up in 93 schools, and there are also 115 contracted medical institutions available for students who cannot receive the vaccine at school. The vaccine’s effectiveness in preventing infections and reducing the risk of related cancers is supported by medical studies. The World Health Organization recommends that 90% of girls under 15 receive the HPV vaccine, with boys included as a secondary priority group. The Health Promotion Administration has been providing the vaccine to female junior high students at public expense since 2018, establishing a strong foundation for safeguarding boys against HPV as well.

Junyi Academy has pointed out the growing disparity in mathematics achievement among students in Taiwan. While Taiwanese students ranked third internationally in mathematics, with an average score of 547, there is a significant gap between the top and bottom performers. The top 10 percent scored an average of 623 points, while the bottom 10 percent scored an average of 434 points. This ＂M-shaped＂ divergence in proficiency is attributed to the unequal access to digital learning. Children from higher socioeconomic status households have benefited more from digital devices for educational purposes, widening the gap. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the adoption of digital teaching methods, but there has been a decline in platform usage recently. Junyi Academy emphasizes the need for guided learning in technology and equitable teaching to address urban-rural and learning disparities. The chairman, Lu Kuan-wei, also highlighted the potential of generative AI, such as ChatGPT, as an educational tool but raised concerns about students misusing AI for homework completion. Lu urged presidential candidates to develop comprehensive educational policies that address the challenges and opportunities brought by technological advances.

The Taipei Dome in Taiwan is gradually increasing its attendance for safety reasons, aiming to complete a full capacity test of 40,000 spectators within the next year. The 30th BFA Asian Baseball Championship recently opened its doors to 17,000 people at the Dome. To ensure the safe evacuation of these fans, Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an detailed plans to increase the frequency of Taipei MRT trains, with the aim of completing the evacuation in 35 to 40 minutes. Chiang also mentioned that the arrival of Japan’s professional baseball team, the Yomiuri Giants, next year could potentially accommodate 40,000 fans, depending on the professional assessment of the Chinese Taipei Baseball Association (CTBA) and the Farglory Group. The city government is committed to assisting and gradually increasing the number of spectators in a safe manner. The 2023 Asian Championship, featuring a highly anticipated Taiwan vs. South Korea showdown, is the first international event at the Dome since its completion, and tickets for the event sold out instantly, with 17,000 snapped up in seconds.

Taipei City Police Department’s Zhongzheng First Precinct announced that the videos allegedly showing Vice Premier Cheng Wen-tsan entering a hotel with a woman were assessed as ＂inconclusive＂ for deepfake tampering. The examination, completed on November 8 and presented on November 18, concluded that it was impossible to determine the potential of deepfake manipulation in the videos. The case is currently being investigated by the Taipei District Prosecutors Office. The allegations arose from a series of photos and videos posted on social media on October 24, claiming that Cheng had attended parties in Macau and checked into a hotel room with a young woman during his time as a Democratic Progressive Party official in Taoyuan in 2011. In response, Cheng issued a statement asserting that he was not the person depicted in the videos, stating that the footage was old and edited. On October 26, the vice premier filed a defamation lawsuit with the Zhongzheng First Precinct, requesting a forensic examination for deepfakes.

The Ministry of Education’s Sports Administration in Taiwan has announced a significant reform to student fitness assessments. Sit-ups will be replaced with curl-ups in order to enhance safety and comprehensiveness in evaluating students’ physical fitness. These changes, which will take effect on August 1, 2024, also include the option to test cardiovascular endurance using diverse and internationally trending methods. The revised regulations are tailored for students aged 10 to under 23 years old and aim to provide a more holistic assessment of physical abilities. The reform allows instructors to select testing methods based on environmental conditions, ensuring safety and accuracy. These changes align with international standards and aim to promote robust and health-conscious youth.

Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chi-mai expressed dissatisfaction with Taiwan Power Company (Taipower) during an interpellation at the City Council. Three power failures occurred in Kaohsiung within three days. Chen assigned a consumer ombudsman to assess damage and investigate losses. He demanded Taipower conduct an examination, upgrade the grid, enhance safety measures, and implement thorough management.

Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an gave a positive assessment of the trial match held at the Taipei Dome, stating that there is room for improvement and that the citizens will ultimately decide. During a City Council meeting, Councilors Chen Yi-chun and Hung Wan-jen raised concerns about various issues observed during the trial match. These included the absence of surveillance cameras in the underground parking lots, water stains in the lobby, accumulated water underground, disarray among people and YouBike users, water supply problems in the toilets, unremitting water flow in some sinks, the lack of vending machines, and bilingual signage issues. Mayor Chiang promised to demand that the Farglory Group, the construction contractors, address these issues and make improvements. The trial match was conducted to assess the condition and facilities of the long-awaited multi-purpose stadium.