The Development And Reform Of Technological And Vocational Education In Taiwan

Taiwan’s Technological and Vocational Education (abbreviation as TVE below) is related to its economic growth. In the early stages, the aim of TVE was to training basic technical manpower for various vocations. Therefore, the strategy usually made adjustments according to Taiwan’s changing economic construction projects and manpower development plans. After1945, Taiwan needed to coordinate its economic development so its technological and vocational education was defined as a training organization of technical manpower under an economic plan.Thereafter, TVE faced a number of reforms with the globalization of world markets and educational reforms. These reforms deserve to be examined from a macroscopic viewpoint. This study will start from a historical standpoint and then provide an analysis of TVE. In addition to the summary of features in various stages, an analysis is given of the development issues as well as a description of the reform programs and the implementation effect of TVE. The conclusion of this study is as follows:Chapter1:Introduction. To determine the basic concepts of Taiwan’s TVE according to relevant information and literature. This study brings up issues of the development of TVE and to state the content and research methods of this study.Chapter2:Implications of Taiwan’s TVE. The definition of technical and vocational education is different from country to country and varying socio-economic developments. This section describes the basic definition of vocational education, technical education, and vocational with technical education, and to explain the goals and implication of Taiwan’s TVE.Chapter3:The infancy stage of Taiwan’s TVE. From a historical point of view, the study will describe Taiwan’s economic background and the formation and development of TVE system, postwar to1960. From1945, TVE strived to revive the economy and increase productivity in Taiwan. The study shows there is a high correlation between TVE and the socio-economic environment.Chapter4:The growing stage of Taiwan’s TVE. Starting in1968, the implementation of the nine-year national education plan focused on occupational skills and science. Then in1980, the light of the vocational schools was lost, but the door opened for the higher TVE schools. Beginning in1974, Taiwan added more Institutes of Technology to provide students the opportunity to upgrade their skills with their studies. This section describes the economic background for the years1961to1990, and the correlation of the development of TVE to Taiwan’s economic miracle.Chapter5:The maturing stage of Taiwan’s TVE. In1991, the trend of globalization of education reform was to enhance competitiveness, to construct a lifelong learning system, and to enhance Taiwan’s basic capabilities. In1997, Taiwan’s universal advance to TVE reached a peak of development in Taiwan.Chapter6:The reforming stage of Taiwan’s TVE. After1990, the quality and quantity of manpower supply and demand structure developed an imbalance because TVE focused on upgrading and restructuring. The Ministry of education began to reflect on Taiwan’s TVE. By2008, Taiwan’s educational reform was renewed. In2010, Taiwan promoted renewal programs for TVE. This section is to investigate the development status of Taiwan’s TVE, and the education reform status. In addition, this section analyzes the effects of implementation and their results to facilitate and promote a follow-up TVE and development.Chapter7:The development issues and countermeasure of Taiwan’s TVE. After several educational reforms, TVE was on the verge of decline because of the limitation of out-dated concepts, traditional socio-economic ideology and lack of industrial upgrading, especially with the decision to abolish vocational schools which threatened TVE. This section investigates the issues of the development stage and the root cause. Then proposing solutions for Taiwan’s TVE.Chapter8:Conclusions. There are three points from the analysis of Taiwan’s TVE and economic development. First, There is a strong correlation between TVE and economic development in Taiwan. Second, Taiwan’s TVE has completed the established system, it’s convenient for the educational advancement. Third, there are still some problems that exist which education reform cannot solve.