Trade-school row brews

Scholars disagreed yesterday over whether vocational schools should be abolished.

President of Academia Sinica Lee Yuan-tseh (李遠哲) told the 2001 National Convention on Education Reform yesterday that vocational schools were no longer useful in Taiwan.

"The vocational schools have performed their function well in the past few decades for a production-oriented Taiwanese society by producing the sort of workers the market needed," he said.

"However, Taiwan is now trans-forming from a manufacturing industrial society to a service-oriented society.

"As Taiwan heads into the 21st century with a new focus, we need to reconsider the role of vocational schools."

He suggested that the Ministry of Education should transform vocational schools into normal high schools.

However, two former ministers of education, Kuo Wei-fan (郭為籓) and Yang Chao-hsiang (楊朝祥), still saw the need for vocational schools.

"They are still needed, especially at a time like this when the unemployment rate is high," Kuo said. "It serves as an opportunity for workers to go back to school for further training."

Taiwan's unemployment rate rose to 5.33 percent in October from 5.26 percent in September. That was the highest since the government began compiling figures in 1978, and the 14th consecutive increase.

"By cultivating the workers that the market needs," Kuo continued, "vocational schools serve as the base for the development of Taiwan's economy."

Tseng Hsien-chen (曾憲政), director of Kaohsiung City's Bureau of Education, echoed Kuo's remarks, saying, "It is inappropriate at this time to abolish vocational schools.

"They are necessary because they provide young people with an opportunity to explore their interests in the working world."

Although he agreed with Lee, Minister of Education Ovid Tzeng (曾志朗) said that because of the disagreement among scholars, the future of vocational schools requires further review.

In the closing ceremony of the two-day convention, President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) voiced his support for education reform and pledged to increase the education budget for next year.

"Even though the government is confronted by poor economic conditions, the budget for the Ministry of Education next year will not be cut," Chen said. "In fact, it will be increased."

Premier Chang Chun-hsiung (張俊雄) said the Executive Yuan was also determined to reform the education system.

Chang asked the Ministry of Education to report to the Executive Yuan by next Monday on the results, issues and suggestions gathered by the convention.

"Furthermore," Chang said, "the Executive Yuan will set up a task force to oversee and periodically report on the progress of education reform."

In his closing remarks, Tzeng said, "This two-day convention has resulted in more consensus than disagreement."