Lawmakers from across party lines yesterday set up a reform committee aimed at restoring the joint entrance exam, saying the current system is confusing and easily manipulated.
PFP legislative whip Diane Lee (李慶安), co-founder of the Education Reform Committee, said the group plans to launch a signature drive for students and parents nationwide to express their discontent at existing admission programs.
She said the multi-route admission program has failed to ensure fairness or provide hoped-for vitality to Taiwan's educational system.
"The introduction of the program has subjected students to more school pressure, as they have to take more tests than ever before," Lee told a news conference. "Parents meanwhile have questioned its fairness, with many seeking to curry favor with influential teachers."
Under the multi-route admission program, college and high school hopefuls have to take the Basic Competency Test twice a year, in addition to maintaining satisfactory grade reports. Students with special talents may seek to enter favored schools with recommendations from teachers.
Lee urged the Ministry of Education to replace the current program with a biannual joint entrance examination system for senior-high-school hopefuls.
TSU lawmaker Chen Cheng-lung (程振隆) said he found the Basic Competency Test in need of reform, as it fails to accurately determine students' proficiency.
On Wednesday, Minister of Education Huang Jong-tsun (黃榮村) said, however, that he opposed any resumption of the joint entrance exam.
Huang said that the ministry is conducting a review of the "multi-route program for entering senior high schools" to find ways to improve it. The review is expected to be completed by mid-August.
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