TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Kuomintang (KMT) presidential candidate Hou Yu-ih has pledged to revisit the contentious 108 curriculum if elected, addressing concerns raised by parents, students, and educators since its implementation in 2019.
"The National Conference on Education (教育國是會議), which hasn't been convened in 13 years, will be reinstated if I become president to reassess the 108 curriculum," Hou remarked.
The new 12-year compulsory (108) curriculum has been termed the "shameless curriculum" by a Taipei First Girls High School teacher, sparking societal debate.
The criticism has found support in former President Ma Ying-jeou, who advised the Ministry of Education (MOE) to urgently review and improve the curriculum, suggesting inactions could follow political shifts.
However, Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) presidential candidate Lai Ching-te has a different perspective, arguing that textbook publishers inevitably consider frontline teachers' opinions and that this should not be directly equated with curriculum issues.
"The curriculum fundamentally serves as a guideline, whereas the textbooks can be decided upon during compilation," said Lai, emphasizing the flexibility in this educational framework.
While addressing the controversial issue of de-Sinicization in education, Taiwan People's Party (TPP) presidential candidate Ko Wen-je stated a day before that appreciating classical literature could be valuable for cultural literacy, not necessarily negative.
"I personally oppose de-Sinicization. I believe there is a cultural continuum that we should recognize," Ko said.
With the national conversation around educational reform intensifying, the approaches of each presidential candidate serve as pivotal considerations for voters in the upcoming election.