General Information

Elementary education focuses on daily life, moral and democratic education. The goal is to cultivate contemporary citizens to be equipped with sound character, awareness for democracy, legal concepts, cultural literacy, a strong body, positive thinking, accurate judgment and creativity. We recruit six to twelve year old children, as a part of compulsory education elementary school education is free of charge.

There are 153 public and private schools in Taipei including 2 national elementary schools (National Chengchi University Experimental Elementary School & National Taipei University of Education Experimental Elementary School), 141 public and 10 private. There are currently 178,635 students and a total of 6,335 recruited classes with an average of 28 students per class and close to 100% schooling.

Important Measures

1. Improve elementary students’ language proficiency by increasing course hours and introducing reading activities
   In order to strengthen students’ language proficiency and broaden the breadth of learning, from 2006, every school has added one extra Mandarin lesson per week. Course schedule is adjusted provided that it is best for students. During the period from 2007 and 2010, the Department plans to propel a 4-year in-depth reading project for school pupils that involve recommendation of the reading list, selected quality books, planning for annual reading events, and conducting related research on less-privileged students’ reading proficiency. Schools are encouraged to promote reading activities to develop students’ reading habits.
   
   
2. Propel mother language teaching in elementary schools
   Actively we promote mother language teaching including teachers’ training and quality control, organizing teaching demonstrations, offering on-site assistance and launching Taiwan’s Mother Language Day events. In line with live teaching requirements, we compile the mother language proficiency standards and amend the enforcement rules for school teachers to refer to.
   
   
3. Introduce English teaching in elementary schools and undertake global exchange events to connect to the world
   From 2002, elementary students have been taught English as early as from Grade 1. The Department has also hosted English winter/summer camps, English reading events, professional training for English teachers, published remedial courses manual, conducted English proficiency tests and undertaken international exchanges to improve teachers’ professional competency and the quality and results of English teaching.
   
   
4. Introduce proficiency tests for major subjects to enhance teaching quality
   In order to understand elementary students’ progress in Mandarin learning, all grade 6th students in Taipei City were given the basic Mandarin proficiency test in 2005. The results showed that over 95% of the students scored 60% or above. The 2006 Mandarin and Mathematics proficiency tests have already been conducted. The Department will continue to administer these tests, of which the results offer teachers a good indication of student’s progress and ways to make improvements.
   
   
5. Organize exhibition of creative artworks and art shows for elementary students to enhance their artistic talents
   We encourage elementary students in Taipei City to pursue artistic creation by offering them an opportunity to develop multiple intelligence. The Department hosts the “Exhibition of Create Artworks by Elementary Students” in spring and autumn each year.
   
   
6. Convene annual “Education Innovation and Actions Research Results Presentation” to encourage teachers to improve their expertise
   We encourage teachers to improve their professional capabilities and image. From year 2000, we organized the annual “Action Research Results Presentation” around Confucius Day each year, inviting the participation of teachers from all levels of schools.
   
   
7. Create a premium environment by re-engineering general classrooms
   We improve the facility of general classrooms in elementary schools in line with major educational reform measures. Commencing from 2005, the classroom upgrade project in all Taipei City’s elementary schools has been undertaken to improve the quality of the learning environment.
   

Future Prospects

1. In light of the decreasing birth rate, the Department evaluates teachers’ quota based on actual requirements and proposes related plans. We encourage schools to develop their specialties to facilitate inter-school competition and long-term development.
   
   
2. Enhance teachers’ professional competency and students’ accomplishments through promoting the concept in teachers’ training courses, learning evaluation and innovation research.
   
   
3. Look after each student, we carry out the hand-in-hand and potential induction project, give under-performing students remedial lessons and regular tests to improve their achievements and interest in learning.
   
   
4. Plan experimental camps that cover areas including language proficiency, creativity, problem solving skills and life education to offer students a diverse learning environment and develop students’ key abilities.
   
   
5. Make good use of schools’ idle space, giving it a creative look. Unite teachers and students’ recognition for their own school and demonstrate school specialty.
   
   
6. Encourage parents to pursue self-development and further education. Set aside a special budget for parents’ training courses to source parents’ participation in school development.