A number of educators yesterday gave mixed reviews to a recently launched Ministry of Education campaign aimed at inspiring the public to cultivate good character and lead a moral life.
The ministry plans to spend NT$1.2 billion (US$3.6 million) to give students more opportunities to appreciate art, read and learn about the need to take care of the environment.
President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九), who attended the campaign’s inaugural ceremony on Friday, said “the campaign will become a new life movement to instill a spirit and taste for morality and quality into people’s everyday lives.”
However, Shih Chien University president Lai Yueh-tchienn (賴岳謙) yesterday questioned the feasibility of the campaign, saying it could turn out to be nothing but slogans.
Meanwhile, former National Chi Nan University president Lee Chia-tung (李家同) said it was more important for teachers to love and care for their students than to tell them they need to build character.
Commenting on the campaign, Kevin Wu (吳忠泰), National Teachers Association president, said that “only a communist country would push such a large-scale transformation movement.”
Although Minister of Education Cheng Jei-cheng (鄭瑞城) on Friday said he could not guarantee the success of the campaign, Control Yuan President Wang Chien-hsien yesterday threw his support behind the ministry.
Wang declined to comment on the NT$1.2 billion budget, only urging educators to help students cultivate their character by setting a good example with their own conduct.
Cheng also came to the ministry’s defense, assuring the public that it is dedicated to push the campaign and that it welcomed any criticism.
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