The current economic slump has made everyone eager to find out what kinds of business are profitable. There is one that is immune from the economic depression at home and abroad. Better yet, all revenue for the business is collected in lump sum payments, six months' worth at a time, while expenses are paid out on a monthly basis. In addition, not only is the revenue tax-free, but the business is often eligible for government subsidies. It's an excellent money-making racket. No wonder there are so many private schools in Taiwan.
The scandal surrounding the Jin-Wen Institute of Technology
The Chang family first transferred the titles of land owned by the school to construction companies, of course profiting handsomely from the transactions. Then the zoning of the land was changed to allow for the construction of dozens of luxurious villas, which were then sold for astronomical sums. The school's diversified business management and seemingly endless sources of profit would be the envy of more legitimate corporations. Even seats on the school's board of directors were openly auctioned off.
Private schools and universities in Taiwan are cash cows. The institutions often place politicians and government officials on their boards, in order to tap into personal and political connections needed to smooth out the details of business matters, such as land development. Private schools are a match made in heaven for businessmen and politicians. Since private schools offer access to both cash and votes, politicians jump at the chance to serve education. Seats on boards are hard to come by and highly sought after, so politicians compete in terms of personal connections, money and even gangland ties.
Once pure and prestigious, educational institutions have become schools for scandal, institutions tarred by their black-gold connections.
The Jin-Wen scandal is complicated and far-reaching. During a briefing to the president, Minister of Education Ovid Tzeng (
We support the government's efforts to clean-up educational institutions and wipe out private schools' mafia ties. If schools are poor role models, we cannot expect them to properly educate our children. Corruption in private schools and universities must be eradicated.
In other countries, private schools are organized by families or churches, but run by professional educators and managers. To show their appreciation for the excellent education offered at these schools, alumni graciously donate to their alma maters. Most top foreign universities such as Harvard and Yale or the colleges of Oxford and Cambridge are private establishments. Besides cracking down on gangster elements in private universities, the education ministry must find ways to improve teaching and management at these private schools, because many are simply operated as money-making enterprises. It is time private universities and schools concentrate on their primary business -- education.
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