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Ministries to run kindergartens, day care centers jointly

The Ministry of the Interior and Ministry of Education announced on Wednesday that they will integrate their kindergarten and daycare centers in August 2006.

"This decision aims to streamline the two systems of kindergarten and daycare centers; to improve the standard of the teachers and ensure a better learning environment for all young children," said Minister of Education Huang Jong-tsun (黃榮村).

Huang said there was a huge discrepancy in the qualifications of teaching staff at present and many instructors are unqualified.

"Achieving an equal standard at all childcare facilities will take some time," Huang said.

Under the new program, the interior ministry will be in charge of all early-childhood care facilities.

"Starting in August 2006, both daycare centers and kindergartens will be managed directly by the ministry," said Minister of the Interior Yu Cheng-hsien (余政憲).

At present, daycare centers for children aged between two and six are managed by the interior ministry while kindergartens are managed by the education ministry. Once these facilities are integrated into a single system, MOI-run kindergartens will be able to cater to all children under the age of six, including infants.

Under the new regime, children between five and six will attend a national education class, which will be part of the free national-compulsory-education system and will still be managed by the education ministry.
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