The Executive Yuan respects and supports the consensus reached by the ruling and opposition legislative caucuses Tuesday on the high school curriculum guideline, Premier Mao Chi-kuo said today. He thus enjoined the MOE to immediately activate the curriculum review committee for the senior high school level and below in order to examine the guideline.
The premier expects the MOE to adhere to the principles of impartiality and procedural justice in carrying out this task. Moreover, the ministry should extensively seek the opinions of various sectors and recruit committee members with social credibility and professionalism so as to meet the public's expectations, Mao advised.
Education is a project of vital importance for future generations and is crucial to the development of the society and nation, the premier pointed out. If any controversy arises out of value judgments concerning educational content, the MOE should seek common ground and put differences aside, presenting both sides of the issues and elucidating the causes of these disputes so students can learn from diverse choices and perspectives. When activating the curriculum guideline review process, the government will respect and incorporate the different views of society and the perspectives of different generations.
The premier further suggested that the MOE formulate a transparent process and mechanism trusted by the public. The ministry may also consider promoting and formulating a law on educational impartiality. With legal constraints in place, no particular group or value system would be able to unilaterally influence educational content. This would safeguard the integrity and professionalism of the educational environment. Such an atmosphere is what all educators aspire to and also meets students' expectations.
It is only through such ideals that longstanding curriculum disputes can be resolved, the premier reiterated. This would also provide the next generation with an open and stable learning environment.
Regarding the curriculum controversy, the premier also admitted that the administrative agencies certainly have many areas to learn and introspect about and make improvements. He believes that none of the efforts and contributions made by various sectors during this process will go in vain, and that the establishment of educational impartiality would be the students' most important historic contribution.
Diverse value systems will inevitably crop up in a democratic society, Mao stated. Tolerance and respect are fundamental elements of a democratic society, and he expects society to adhere to these principles to engender an environment where different views can be fully expressed and tolerated. By communicating rationally and putting differences aside to seek common ground, the public can gradually form a consensus to carry out social and national reforms.