An Island of Learning: Academeocracy in Taiwan. An Inquiry into Non-Traditional and Traditional Education.

Overview & Synopsis

Traditional and nontraditional education in Taiwan are considered, based on interviews with educators and scholars in Taiwan, observations, and research materials. To provide a picture of the evolution of academe in the Chinese-Taiwan setting, attention is directed to philosophy, history, academic ethics and excellence, methodology, and policy issues. Chinese history and educational philosophy are discussed in relation to the dynasties, and the thoughts of Confucius and other scholars who were important to Chinese intellectual development are considered. The higher education system of today and that which existed in the pre-republic period are reviewed, and attention is directed to entrance examinations and Ta-Yuan Hsiang's community educational system. Among the nontraditional educational programs are the following: evening education, "Teacher Chang" Counseling Center, the Farmers Association and agricultural extension, 4-H club programs, China Youth Service Association and the training-educational center, the Youth Guidance Service and overseas Chinese scholars, education-of-the air, environmental education at the Tunghai University Center for Environmental Education, special education, and Academia Sinica. Additional topics are the influence of John Dewey on Chinese educational development, the effect of 50 years of Japanese occupation on the Taiwanese educational system, and the structural and formal-legalistic aspects of education in Taiwan. It is noted that education in Taiwan has been an important part of Chinese culture and that the teacher is viewed with respect and admiration. (SW)