TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The Ministry of Education (MOE, 教育部) announced a proposed revision to the "Senior High School Student Learning Evaluation Method" in early July, introducing a new type of leave called "mental and physical adjustment leave."
The newly introduced leave has been piloted in 42 high schools, with the pilot period allowing students to take up to three days off per semester and forbidding them from receiving full attendance awards during their leave, the MOE noted.
The MOE stated the goal behind this change is to assist students with minor psychological discomfort or mental distress, while encouraging students to be aware of their mental state and promoting the attention of teachers and parents.
The Taiwan Youth Association for Democracy (TYAD, 台灣青年民主協會) has affirmed this move. However, it emphasized that the accompanying measures of the pilot draft still need to be improved to ensure the policy achieves its expected results.
The MOE began piloting the mental and physical adjustment leave in 42 high schools in the second semester of the 112th academic year (2024). Each leave must be taken in half-day or full-day units, and students cannot take off for just one or two classes.