General Information

Vocational education and the development of the national economy are closely related. In the past five decades, professional education has contributed tremendously to the cultivation of basic skills, enabling the rapid growth of our economy. In spite of the fact that vocational schools in Taiwan are operating in a difficult environment and in need of reform, vocational high school education with the mission of cultivating students’ basic vocational skills and professionalism remain an important part of intermediate education in Taiwan.

At present, there are 7 public and 10 private vocational high schools, 10 vocational high schools affiliated with senior high schools and 2 independent supplementary education schools making up a total of 29 schools divided into 6 categories and 41 departments. There are 1,156 classes, 47,267 students, 2,253 teachers and an average student to teacher ratio of 22 people.

Important Measures

1. Ensure the quality of education by administering the vocational school evaluation program
   To guide schools in Taipei city to construct a sound learning environment and realize the concept of “Betterness Education”, the Department has set up the quality school benchmarks for selection of outstanding schools. Schools that are selected will receive the award in a presentation and background information of the school will also be published in the Departments’ periodicals and website.
   
   
2. Promote gender equity to facilitate equal gender rights
   In line with the promulgation of the “Gender Equity Education Act”, the “Committee for Gender Equity Education of Taipei City Government” officially came into being with the Mayor being the Head of Committee. Four taskforces operate under the Committee including Policy, Teaching, Social Education and Prevention. The concept of gender equity education is promoted from March to May each year at schools of all levels in Taipei City.
   
   
3. Introduce the “mentor teachers” program to effective promote teaching quality
   In line with the “Teachers’ Professional Development Evaluation” project run by the Ministry of Education and Taipei Municipal Government, the “Guidelines for the Establishment of Mentor Teachers at Senior High Schools and Below in Taipei City” will be amended in 2007. Schools are required to register for program by lodging an application with the Department. Mentor teachers’ offer systematic teaching and administrative assistance, support and counseling to beginning teachers.
   
   
4. Communize vocational high schools in Taipei City to set up adaptive learning communities
   At present, there are three adaptive learning communities in Taipei City namely, North, East and South, in which four respective adaptive learning systems are set in place including normal, vocational, gifted students and students with disabilities. Students are given more selection of schools within their own community.
   
   
5. Encourage vocational schools to reform, make adjustments to subject offers and curriculum in line with contemporary trends
   To enable junior high school graduates to receive more diverse high school education to achieve the goals of adaptive education, vocational schools are encouraged to adjust their existing subject offers or undertake reform. The Department has set up a core taskforce to respond to the announcement of and schedule for the pro forma vocational curriculum. The taskforce is in charge of running curriculum development workshops, setting up the relevant standards and procedures and carrying out on-site assistance and visits, supporting schools to undergo the reform.
   
   
6. Promote technical and vocational education, encourage students to make adaptive choices
   The Department is dedicated to the promotion of technical and vocational education. To ensure course practicability, junior high school students studying vocational subjects are offered practical, lively, and diverse vocational curriculum. Students’ technical skills are enhanced through various technical competition and certification, which equip them for further education or begin employment.
   
   
7. Administer the vocational school evaluation program to increase schools’ operational efficiency
   The vocational school evaluation program will be carried out in 3 stages over 3 years. Stage 1 involves planning and preparation, stage 2 involves project evaluation and stage 3 involves follow-up and guidance, offering schools consultation and assistance services. Evaluation results will be made public, serving as the reference for the general public on the operating performance of vocational schools.
   
   
8. Improve vocational school students’ English and Mandarin competency
   To inspire the joy of language learning and improve the overall effects of language teaching and learning in vocational schools, the Department has put in place the language teaching project, forming the teaching guidance team for English and Mandarin teaching in vocational schools. Teachers share the teaching experience through teaching demonstrations, inter-school exchanges, language competition for students and other multifaceted activities.
   
   
9. Offer vocational school students diverse exhibition and performance opportunities
   To inspire students’ potential and promote normal leisure activities for teenagers, the Department organizes performance demonstrations by school military bands, military carnivals, and weekend and holiday shows by vocational school students. Junior high school students are encouraged to participate in summer camps and explore employment opportunities.
   
   
10. Assist with the sound development of private vocational schools
    To reduce the gap between tuition fees charged for pubic and private schools and encourage students to attend private schools, from 2002, students are offered a NT$6,000 subsidy per semester. Students receiving supplementary education are also incorporated in the scheme. The aim is to reduce family financial burden. To facilitate sound development of private schools, the Department also subsidizes the cost of acquiring additional teaching facility to improve teaching quality. From 1999, the budget has been upped to NT$ 75 million (the highest on a national scale) to enhance teaching facilities at vocational schools in Taipei.

Future Prospects

1. Carry out the concept of “Betterness Education”, guiding schools to create a superior school environment.
   
   
2. In line with social developments, we offer systematic assistance to vocational schools in making adjustments to existing subject offers and curriculum as well as undergoing reform.
   
   
3. Plan for a new type of vocational schools offering diverse, refined, and practical education, allowing students to make adaptive choices.
   
   
4. Guide teachers’ conceptual changes and enhancement of professional competency to facilitate professional growth.
   
   
5. Emphasize whole-person development of vocational school students in the hope that students will enjoy learning through practical, lively and adaptive curriculum planning. Students are expected to accomplish, have hope and be respected.