TAICHUNG (TVBS News) — A Taichung City Councilor raised concerns on Monday (Feb. 3) about the rising number of cram schools, which increased by nearly 10% over four years, impacting student stress and parental financial burdens.
The increase comes as Taichung's Education Bureau (教育局) reported 10,819 high school graduates in 2024, with cram schools growing from 72 in 2021 to 79 by Sept. 2024, a 9.72% rise.
Joy Chen (陳俞融), a Democratic Progressive Party (DPP, 民進黨) councilor, highlighted the intense competition for spots in popular cram schools as the new semester approaches. She noted that some parents camped overnight during a cold snap to secure classes with renowned teachers.
Following the Lunar New Year holiday, many students remain unplaced in courses, reflecting the fierce competition and issues within the current education system. Chen urged the city government to enhance teaching quality across schools to address these challenges.
Taichung's Education Bureau responded that it provides diverse resources and financial aid to schools for learning assistance programs. Additionally, Taichung has established curriculum development centers to foster professional dialogue among teachers through workshops and inter-school communities, aiming to improve teaching strategies and innovative curriculum design.
As the situation unfolds, the focus remains on balancing educational quality with the demands of a competitive academic landscape.