Taiwan Quick Take: Preschool funding slammed

An association of preschool operators called on the government yesterday to increase the annual funding for preschool education. The association made the call after the Ministry of Education decided not to remove a clause setting a minimum benchmark of 5 percent for preschool education as a percentage of education spending from a draft law on preschool education and childcare. The association noted that while preschool education has become part of the education system in Taiwan, with the kindergarten enrollment rate having reached almost 100 percent, the funding for preschool education remains extremely low. The funding for preschool education accounted for only 2.98 percent of total education spending last year, compared with 34.97 percent for higher education, 15 percent for senior high education, 15.25 percent for junior high education and 31.2 percent for primary education, the association said.