Education System

Taiwan educational system supports 22 years of formal study. The timetable is flexible, depending upon the needs of the students. On average, the entire process includes 2 years of preschool education, 6 years of primary school, 3 years of junior high school, 3 years of senior secondary school, 4-7 years of college or university, 1-4 years of a master's degree programme and 2-7 years of a doctoral degree programme.

Compulsory Education

A trial ten-year compulsory education programme nationwide has been implemented by the education ministry. This programme was designed to integrate junior high school and senior vocational school curricula.

Senior High and Senior Vocational Education

There are two types of institution comes after the junior high school level. These are senior high school and senior vocational school, both of which take three years to complete.

Junior College Education

Junior colleges fall into two categories: the five-year junior college and the two-year junior college, each having a different set of admission requirements. Five-year junior colleges admit junior high school graduates. Two-year junior colleges admit senior vocational high school graduates.

Normal Education and Training Programmes

In Taiwan, teacher training programmes are available at higher education level and usually last four years. Those programmes fall into two categories: (1) programmes for training teachers of secondary education; and (2) programmes for training teachers of primary schools and kindergartens.

University Education

University undergraduate programmes require four years of study. Specialised undergraduate programmes such as dentistry or medicine require six to seven years, including an internship period of one year.

Graduate Education

Graduate programmes offer a master degree, which require 1 to 4 years of study, or doctoral degree, which requite 2 to 7 years.

Special Education

Only designated schools are allowed to admit students who are mentally or physically challenged. Special classes are offered by regular education institutions, including primary, junior and senior secondary schools.

Supplementary Education

Supplementary education provides citizens with an alternative way to achieve their educational goals. Based on the curriculum provided, it is classified into three main categories: basic education; advanced education; and short-term supplementary education. The study periods vary according to their curriculum design.

The education Taiwan has high standard, emphasize on good teacher-student relationship, and exam driven. The students are attentive in lesson and take down notes when the teacher teaches. This system is not designed to produce highly creative, original, free-thinkng students, but it produces students who have a large body of knowledge in history, geography, math, and science.(Davison, Reed, 1998) After-hours and night school are roll out for students. During these programmes, students will be given more information for acquisition and review, preparing them to perform their fullest potential during entrance exams. The education system in Taiwan is well planned and comprehensive for the people, but at the same time, it also increases the stress level of a Taiwanese child and competition between each other.

References:

• Ministry of Education, Republic of China(Taiwan), An education overview. Retrieved on 12 December, 2010 from http://english.moe.gov.tw/ct.aspxItem=4133&CtNode=2003&mp=3
• Davison, G.M., Reed. B.E. (1998). Culture and Custom of Taiwan, pp 199