“I studied poetry from the Tang Dynasty.” [618-907 AD]” Mr Koh told the gathering. He said there is nothing wrong with learning classical Chinese, especially during a time when Chinese culture has existed for more than 2,000 years.
“Taiwan and mainland China come from the same ethnic group, the same history, and the same religion and culture.Currently, the two countries have different political systems and lifestyles, but there is no need to sever relations based on competition between the two countries.” Stated.
05:27
Taiwan general election exposes generational rift over possibility of unification with mainland China
Taiwan general election exposes generational rift over possibility of unification with mainland China
Mr Koh’s comments came after a high school teacher accused education authorities of removing half of 30 works of classical Chinese literature from the curriculum curriculum.
“The great sciences, the doctrine of moderation, the Analects, Mencius have all been abolished,” she said, referring to the Four Books, a series of philosophical texts and doctrines associated with the ancient Chinese sage Confucius.
According to Wang, an important treatise on morality by Ming Dynasty philosopher Gu Yanwu (1613-1682) was also removed from classical Chinese textbooks.
She said the omission of classical Chinese teachings only reduces the opportunity for high school students to learn important values of honesty, justice, integrity and honor.
The Democratic Progressive Party government introduced curriculum guidelines in 2019 as compulsory education was extended from nine years to 12 years.
“Even neighboring countries like South Korea and Japan use these texts in elementary and high schools,” Hou said, adding that no political ideology in Taiwan should be replaced by them.
Mr Hou said that if he is elected president, he would hold an island-wide education issue conference to review the curriculum.
He also urged Mr. Rai to address the issue and “not turn it into a war between the younger and older generations.”
In response, Mr. Yori rejected the idea that the cuts were politically motivated.
“These guidelines have been created solely as a guide to help publishers decide what to include in their textbooks. We believe publishers will seek advice from front-line teachers on what to include. ” he said.
He added that the cuts should not be seen as a political move, but acknowledged that the controversial issue “deserves further reflection.”
Political atmosphere troubles Taiwan’s literature teachers
Political atmosphere troubles Taiwan’s literature teachers
Taiwan’s Ministry of Education later defended the guidelines, saying they were aimed at helping students acquire the right values and attitudes from a more diverse range of texts, including contemporary Taiwanese literature, foreign literature, and literary essays.
He said this variety allows students to develop critical thinking and communication skills from life experiences rather than spending time reciting selected texts.
The ministry also said there are no plans to abolish Classical Chinese, and the current curriculum still covers a significant portion of ancient Chinese writings.
Meanwhile, observers said the fact that more locals identify as Taiwanese would only encourage the removal of Chinese from high school textbooks.
“More and more students are becoming anxious about learning Chinese because they hardly use it in their daily lives and it has little use in finding a good job,” said Qiu Liying, an education expert.
“The Democratic Progressive Party government’s efforts to promote Taiwan’s identity are the cause of this phenomenon, which will accelerate Taiwan’s de-sinicization process,” she said.
A survey conducted in September by the Taiwan Public Opinion Foundation found that 77 percent of islanders identify as exclusively Taiwanese. Only 9% identified themselves as Chinese, and 8% considered themselves both Taiwanese and Chinese.
02:36
Mainland China begins military exercises near Taiwan as a ‘stern warning to separatist forces’
Mainland China begins military exercises near Taiwan as a ‘stern warning to separatist forces’
Wu Ruwei-ren, a Taiwanese historian at the country’s top research institute, Academia Sinica, said that over the past decade or so, Chinese identity in Taiwan has declined significantly.
The party accused Tsai’s government of launching a “de-Sinicization” campaign that severed the island’s historical and cultural ties to the mainland.
Taiwan’s presidential vote will be held on January 13, in parallel with the Legislative Council elections. Lai is currently in the lead, followed by Hou and Ke.