According to Goodness Realization Effectiveness Ambition Teamwork, the Department also shares responsibility with Division Three of the Education Department of the Taiwan Provincial Government and Division One of the Education Bureau of the Taipei and Kaohsiung city government, then forming an organizational network for TVE in Taiwan. Division Three of the Education Department of the Taiwan Provincial Government is responsible for the supervision of TVE within provincial and private senior vocational schools. Similarly, the relevant divisions within the city governments of Taipei and Kaohsiung supervise TVE in municipal and private senior vocational schools, and the local governments administer local senior vocational schools and technical programs of junior high schools.
Figure1. Technological and Vocational Education Administration System
Source: Merger of higher education.
Part 4.
The Current Technological and Vocational Education System in Taiwan
In Taiwan, TVE is separated into three levels, senior vocational schools, junior colleges and institutes/universities of technology. In addition, the Ministry of Education is providing a project of technical programs at the junior high school level now. Its purpose is help students can understand earlier their interests and aptitudes and cultivate their interests according these researches. At the upper- secondary school level, an experimental program of comprehensive education has been carried out including vocational programs.
As Tian Zhen-Rong reported (1999:55) Programs in senior vocational schools are divided into daytime and evening regions, cooperative education programs, technical programs, special technical programs and supplementary programs.
The junior college system is divided into two types. There are two-year and five-year programs. Otherwise, the two-year programs also offer evening programs.
Institutes/universities of technology have undergraduate, masters’ and doctors’ programs. Undergraduate programs are two-years and four-years. Masters’ programs are two-years. Doctors’ programs are at least three years.
Part 5.
Introduction of Senior Vocational School Education, Junior College and Institutes/Universities
- Senior Vocational School Education
Senior Vocational School Education provides students with entry-level knowledge and to develop a workforce. It will make students possesses both good work ethics and a right foundation of basic technical skills.
To suit the varying requirements of students, most senior vocational programs are provided by senior vocational programs. There are six different kinds of programs are offered at this level.
-
Daytime programs: These programs are designed for junior
high school graduates and last for three years. When students
complete these programs, they would receive a diploma.
-
Evening programs: These programs are also for junior high
school graduates. But the time is different from the time of
daytime programs. Students need to spend four years. A diploma
is given to qualified students on completion of one of those
programs.
-
Cooperative education programs: These are administrated by
schools and companies which cooperate with school. To gain
admission, junior high school graduates need to pass both an
entrance examination and an interview given by a company.
Programs usually last three years. The school provides courses
for students. On the other hand, the company provides practical
experience for students.
-
Technical programs: These programs are designed to provide
junior high school graduates who do not intend to continue their
formal education. Students register and attend one-year,
two-year, or three-year programs, respectively. Certificates are
issued to qualified students at the end of each program, but
students receive a verifying completion of the course at the end
of a three-year program. Those students who complete a
three-year program and pass a qualification exam will receive
a certificate equivalent to a senior vocational school diploma.
-
Special technical programs: It was begun during the 1994-95
academic year. (Lin Dan-Yan. 1999. 257-268) These programs
offer regular three-year courses and one-year junior
high technical programs. Junior high school graduates with
minor learning difficulties are given an opportunity to acquire
skills.
-
Supplementary education programs: These programs are
designed to content the needs of junior high school graduates
who are currently employed or plan to begin a working. Hence,
there is no age restriction for admission. Most classes are begun
in the evening. When students complete a three-year program
and pass an examination, they will gain a certificate equivalent
to a senior vocational school diploma.
As Lin Dan-Yan reported (1999. 257-268) every senior vocational school provides about 35 hours per week, and lasts 18 weeks in each semester. The curriculum is structured as follows:
-
General subjects: These subjects include Chinese, English,
mathematics general social sciences and others. It occupies
about 30% of total class time.
-
Technical subjects: These include technical theory and practical
experience, taking up 60% of the class hours.
-
Electives: These occupy between 5% and 10% of class time.
-
Physical education: This takes up about 5% of the total class
hours.
To teach applied sciences and technology, and to turn out a workforce with mid-level technical or managerial skills.
Programs at junior colleges are divided into five-year and two-year systems, including daytime and evening division and supplementary programs.
- Five-year programs: These programs offer daytime, evening and
are designed for junior high school graduates. Courses last five
years, but in some situations; it may be extended to six years.
- Two-year programs: These programs offer daytime, evening and
supplementary courses, and are designed for students who have
graduated from senior vocational schools or who have reached
an equivalent academic level. The study period is normally two
years. The evening division is divided into regular classes and
classes for those people who have jobs in the daytime. The
former normally lasts two years and the latter is designed for the
people who pass at least one year of working experience. There
is a limit of three years for completion of study.
-
Since the 1996-97 academic years, prestigious junior colleges
have been allowed to change to institutes of technology. These
institutes are required to continue their junior college programs
to prepare mid-level practical workers.
The junior college curriculum follows the academic year and credit
system and is divided into general subjects are 25%, vocational core subjects are 25%. The remaining 40% of the curriculum is designed according to the individual requirements of schools. If the students want to graduate, they must complete the requirement of 220 credits in the five-year system, and 80 credits in the two-year system.
- Institutes/Universities of Technology
In order to develop a higher level workforce for the fields of technology, engineering, and management.
Institutes/Universities of technology provide the highest levels of TVE in Taiwan. They include undergraduate programs, master’s programs and doctor’s programs.
- Undergraduate programs: There are divided into four-year
programs and two-year programs
- Four-year programs: These courses are separated
into daytime and supplementary programs.
Daytime programs are aimed at senior vocational
school graduates or students who have achieved an
equivalent level and last for four years.
Supplementary programs are designed for people
who have been employed for more than one year.
The period of study is five years. A bachelor's will
be conferred, when they complete the program.
- Two-year programs: Courses are divided into
daytime and supplementary programs. Daytime
programs are aimed at graduates of junior colleges
and last for two years. Supplementary programs
are designed for people who have experience of
working for more than one year, and the period of
study is two years. A bachelor's degree is conferred
on completion of the course.
- Master's programs: These programs are aimed at individuals
who had gained bachelor's degrees from universities or
institutes of technology or who have reached an equivalent
academic level. Courses last for two to four years. When
students completed the course, submitted a master's thesis
and passed an examination, they can gain a master’s degree.
- Doctoral programs: The individuals who have completed a
master's program at a university or institutes of technology
may be admitted to a doctoral program. The period of study
lasts from two to seven years. A doctorate is conferred on a
student who has completed courses, gone through a
screening process for doctoral candidates, submitted a
dissertation and passed an examination.
In addition, in order to increase junior college graduates' opportunities
for further study, some universities or colleges, such as National
Taiwan Ocean University, also offer two-year programs of technology.
Each institute/university designs its own programs according to its
particular characteristics. Following the academic year and credit system, each semester lasts a minimum of 18 weeks. However, the hours and achieved of study are distributed by schools. To graduate, students must complete at least 136 credits.
Part 6.
Special Features of TVE
From table 2, we can see the Foreign Exchange Reserves of TAIWAN is increasing. Therefore, we can see the TVE system is successful in TAIWAN. According to National Institute of Educational Resources and Research, the features of TVE are summed up as follows:
- Emphasizing pragmatic learning while creating a unique schooling system.
- Focusing on the study of a applied to technology while laying the foundation
for career development.
- Applying project work; integrating learning outcomes.
- Administering skills tests; implementing a certification system.
- Updating the TVE curriculum to meet the needs of society.
- Recruiting teachers from industries, strengthening teacher's practical skills.
- Using cooperative education by combining theory with practical experience.
- Offering continuing education, thus contributing to community development.
Part 7.
Conclusion
This essay has discussed Technological and Vocational Education in Taiwan. Firstly, it introduced the process of developing. Then it described technological and vocational education administration system. After that it revealed the current technological and vocational education system in Taiwan. Next, it talked about the different institutions in Senior Vocational School Education, Junior College and Institutes/Universities. Then, it showed the special features of Technological and Vocational Education. In conclusion, it could be said that the Taiwan Technological and Vocational Education is very successful; the Technological and Vocational Education have an important position in Taiwan from many years ago to now. It can become better and better in the future.
Part 8.
Reference:
Book:
Chen Long-Qi. (2000). Merger of higher education. Taipei: Hua-Tai
Huang Zheng-Jie. (1999). The Development and Future of TVE. Taipei: Shi-Da
Lin Dan-Yan. (1999). The Conception of TVE. Taipei: San-Min
Tian Zhen-rong. (1999). The Summary of TVE. Taipei: Wen-Jing
Website:
At present educational development trend and the skill duty educates the way to win victory. [Online] Available at [Accessed Apr., 2004]
CENTRAL BANK OF CHINA [Online] Available at
[Accessed Apr., 2004]
The analysis of TVE [Online] Available at [Accessed Apr., 2004]
Bureau of Statistic M.O.E. [Online] Available at
[Accessed Apr., 2004]
The Past and Future of TVE [Online] Available at [Accessed Apr., 2004]
The Past, Present and Future of The University [Online] Available at [Accessed Apr., 2004]
