Cram schools offering preschool education will be banned from recruiting children under the age of six for certain classes to ensure their mental and physical development, according to a draft legal revision approved by the Ministry of Education yesterday.
The ministry said schools offering classes such as English, composition, speed reading, mental calculation and abacus skills could not admit children under the age of six.
However, classes that would help a child’s physical coordination or foster artistic talent would not be subject to the ban. These classes would be allowed, following their approval by local and municipal authorities.
According to the ministry, the revised draft of the Supplementary and Continuing Education Act (補習及進修教育法), which still has to be sent to the Executive Yuan and legislature for approval, ensures that all cram school classes would be properly regulated.
After the revision is approved and promulgated, there will be a grace period of two years, the ministry said. Cram-school operators who violate the law will be subject to a fine of NT$50,000 to NT$250,000.
There are 6,592 cram schools that admit preschool-age children. The ministry estimated that most of these schools teach English.
Cram school operators responded negatively to the proposed revision.
Chang Hau-ran (張浩然), Taipei’s cram school association secretary-general, said the ministry’s move was “preposterous,” adding that it would cause trouble for parents.
“Preschool education is not obligatory. Parents should have the option to choose,” he said.
Chang said if the ministry banned cram schools from recruiting children under the age of six, rich parents would hire private tutors, while the less wealthy would not be able to, which would only increase the “class struggle.”
A woman surnamed Wu (吳) who is the mother of a four-year-old, said children have a lot more time on their hands before school, so she wanted her child to explore different interests before entering primary school.
She said her child was less afraid of numbers after becoming familiar with the abacus.
Gordon Hsieh (謝國清), president of the National Alliance of Parents Organization, said he lauded the ministry’s good intention, but he was worried that cram school operators might try to circumvent the regulations by offering banned classes under different names.
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