Premier Su Tseng-chang (
"Most parents would do whatever it takes to pay their children's tuition fees. I will do my utmost to reduce the burden on parents," he said.
Su made the remarks while answering questions from Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Legislator Chang Sho-wen (
Chang said it should be the priority of the government to recruit more qualified teachers for elementary, junior and high schools to increase the competitiveness of the students as they progress in the education system.
In response to Chang's comments, Su took the opportunity to promote his recently announced policy of 12-year compulsory education, which is scheduled for implementation in 2009.
Su said the new policy was designed to help poorer students whose families may not be able to afford tuition.
"Parents of children going to private high schools are paying at least four times what parents of children enrolled in public schools are paying," Su said.
"I am also planning to recruit more qualified teachers and build more high schools in rural areas so that everybody has a chance to enjoy high quality high school education," he said.
Minister of Education Tu Cheng-sheng (杜正勝), who accompanied Su at the podium at the legislature, said his ministry was implementing measure that helped parents facing financial difficulties.
"We posted parts of the contents of math and natural science textbooks on the Internet, as well as some simulated exams," Tu said.
"The information is free of charge and has received the approval of many parents and teachers," Tu added.