TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan's Ministry of Education (MOE, 教育部) plans to introduce new teaching materials aimed at strengthening national identity and raising awareness about threats from China by summer 2025, Education Minister Cheng Ying-yao (鄭英耀) announced Monday (April 14). The initiative was unveiled during a high-stakes discussion at the "Education and Culture Committee" (立法院教育及文化委員會) of Taiwan's parliament, where officials addressed growing concerns about Chinese influence in the island's classrooms.
Democratic Progressive Party Legislator Lin I-chin expressed alarm over incidents of teachers allegedly promoting Chinese identity in Taipei classrooms. She cited a troubling case where an elementary school teacher reportedly told students that Taiwan is part of China. "While personal identity choices deserve respect, educators cannot use their influential positions to muddle national identity or advocate for foreign adversaries," Lin stated during the committee hearing.
Minister Cheng emphasized education must maintain neutrality, noting that teachers' freedom of expression must operate within boundaries established by the "Fundamental Act of Education." Taiwan must cultivate both strong national awareness and broad international perspective among our students, he asserted, explaining that this approach aligns with Taiwan's security priorities. The minister confirmed specialized subject guidance teams would develop the new educational materials.
Taiwan People's Party Legislator Liu Shu-pin challenged the ministry's recent decision to prohibit exchanges with ten Chinese educational institutions. Responding to the criticism, Minister Cheng clarified that the ban specifically targets schools affiliated with China's United Front Work Department and military organizations. These institutions often pursue educational objectives fundamentally different from conventional universities, Cheng explained, while expressing hope for "respectful and structured cross-strait academic exchanges" in the future. ★