Schools neglect mother-tongues

Minister of Education Huang Jong-tsun (黃榮村) yesterday promised that schools which fail to implement rules calling for compulsory local language courses would be investigated.

Local languages, or mother tongues as they are sometimes called, refer to Hokkien, Hakka and Aboriginal languages.

Such classes were made compulsory in all public elementary schools last September, in a bid to preserve the traditional languages.

"I cannot comprehend why there are schools that have yet to offer local language classes, for such courses have been made compulsory as part of the school curriculum," Huang said.

"I will order local government educational bureaus to look into this matter and to report their findings to [the ministry] for further handling," he said.

Huang made the remarks yesterday in response to questions raised by TSU Legislator Lo Chih-ming (羅志明) and members of the Northern Taiwan Society (北社), Central Taiwan Society (中社), Eastern Taiwan Society (東社), Southern Taiwan Society (南社) and the Taiwan Association of University Professors (台灣教授協會), concerning the implementation of the new rules.

Cited a recent poll conducted by Shih Hsin University, Lo and the society members questioned the ministry's seriousness in implementing the local language class programs.

The poll, conducted on Aug. 5 and 6, showed that of the 1,345 elementary schools nationwide, 53 have yet to offer local language classes as required.

The poll also revealed that of Taiwan's 1,287 certified local-language teachers, only 4.4 percent have landed local-language teaching positions.

"It is a shock that we have these local-language teachers tested, trained and certified and that we have yet to employ them," Lo said at the press conference, adding that the poll's statistics show that the Ministry of Education has neglected its policy concerning local-language classes

"We strongly insist that the ministry correct and improve the current situation," added Lo.

Responding to the criticism, Huang explained that every school has its own teachers trained for such positions, thus making it unnecessary for them to recruit certified local-language teachers, such as those cited in the poll, from outside.

Huang stressed, however, that the demand for local-language teachers would soon increase, as compulsory local-language classes will be extended to middle schools starting next month.

Huang added that at his next meeting with local government educational bureau directors, he would discuss the matter and draw up ways to encourage schools to recruit more certified local-language teachers.