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Chen pushes education reforms at science center

President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) yesterday said that education reform should not be distorted and made into a political tool but must transcend political considerations.

Chen made the remarks while attending the opening ceremony of the National Taiwan Science Education Center in Shihlin.

Chen said educational reform would be and must be accomplished -- as long as "the government has resolution and people have confidence."

Chen said that educational reform was launched for the sake of future generations and was the policy that his government valued the most.

"In the past, education was a propaganda tool of the ruling party to instill its political doctrine," Chen said.

"After many years of effort, education has finally returned to the normal path, which values diversity. We cannot let it regress," he said.

"We have to make sure politics stays far removed from education," he said.

He urged everyone to have confidence in the policies proposed by the Ministry of Education, including an increase in educational opportunities for minority groups, promotion of the quality and effectiveness of higher education and the 12-year compulsory education program.

Minister of Education Huang Jung-tsun (黃榮村) also spoke at the opening ceremony.

Huang said the old science center played an important role in science education for younger people for decades.

"The center was located on Nanhai Road for more than 45 years, which many people remember from their childhood," Huang said.

"Today the ministry is happy to see it reborn, with more spacious surrounds, better facilities and abundant resources."

The new center is 20 times the size of the previous facility and is run by a private company, Tatung World Technology.

The center is offering half-price admission tickets -- NT$50 -- through to the end of this month. More information on the center is available on the science center's Web site (www.ntsec.gov.tw).
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