Premier Mao Chi-kuo today expressed profound sadness at the apparent suicide of Lin Kuan-hua, a student activist who had been protesting planned changes to the high school curriculum guideline. The premier called on the nation to respect the views and wishes of Lin's parents.
Legislative Yuan President Wang Jin-pyng will meet with ruling and opposition caucuses this afternoon to decide whether a special legislative session should be held, Premier Mao added. If necessary, the Legislature will ask the Ministry of Education to submit a special report on the contents of the curriculum guideline.
Mao said that the government's primary concern in this matter is that students' right to learn will not be interrupted. From the outset, the government has followed these three principles:
1. New and old versions of textbooks will used at the same time. Any differences in material will not be included in college entrance examinations but will be taught in a supplementary manner.
2. In the future, the decision-making process and mechanism for high school curriculum adjustments should be made more transparent and should include all views. This has been the government's stance from the beginning.
3. The premier hopes that Education Minister We Se-hwa will continue communicating these curriculum adjustments to public in a thorough manner.