Almost 50 percent of the public feels dissatisfied with college education in Taiwan, according to results of a university poll announced yesterday.
The survey, which polled 1,068 respondents aged 18 or older, was conducted by the Institute of Public Opinion at Shih Hsin University.
Mou Tsung-tsan (
"With so many colleges around, the quality of education plummets and there is a lack of competition among schools," Mou said. "This is bad for our country's future, because with globalization we need positive competition among schools."
The poll indicated that 42.34 percent of the public would like their children to remain in Taiwan for college, while 36.31 percent wanted to send their children to US or European colleges, Mou said.
Survey results also showed that most think the biggest problems college students face are their own laziness and lack of motivation, Mou added.
Mou said that the university has been carrying out new education plans with the Ministry of Education budget and hopes to address the problem from the beginning.
"When students enter college after being accustomed to various restrictions in high school, the sudden freedom causes them to be unable to manage time well," Mou said.
Hopefully, through longer first-year orientations, students can learn not only the basics of college life but also how to plan their futures and be well-prepared, he added.
Also, first-year students must have a sense of responsibility, learn to care about others and manage their own time, Mou said.
The poll also indicated that 44 percent of the public felt that educational reforms are the responsibility of the Ministry of Education and the government.
In addition, 52.98 percent of those surveyed said that college education should provide "elite" and professional education, while only 14.7 percent thought that it should provide popular education.
Many surveyed said that college students should not only get good grades, but also learn to respect teachers and care about society.
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