Incoming Education Minister Ovid Tzeng (曾志朗) yesterday said reconstructing schools damaged in the 921 Earthquake would be his top priority after taking office.
Tzeng, currently president of National Yang Ming University, made the remark during his visit to outgoing minister Kirby Yung (楊朝祥).
A total of 895 schools, most of which are in Nantou and Taichung counties, were either destroyed or partially damaged in the earthquake. Many of the students at the affected schools will continue taking classes in temporary classrooms until new ones are completed. The ministry's goal is to finish the work by September 2001.
PHOTO: CHEN CHENG-CHANG, TAIPEI TIMES
Yung said he hoped Tzeng would try to speed up construction work at some of the schools that are behind schedule.
Tzeng promised he would act. "The reconstruction work must be done right away," he said.
Tzeng praised Yung for the efficiency of his leadership in reconstructing the damaged schools.
"He has done a lot of work for the schools in earthquake-hit areas. I'm very impressed," Tzeng said.
Tzeng said the major purpose of his visit yesterday was to request Yung's advice on how to deal with his new job.
Tzeng, a devoted cognitive psychologist, had devoted his career to academia before accepting President-elect Chen Shui-bian's (陳水扁) offer to become education minister.
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