AI Impact on Social Sciences? Changhua High Schools Maintain 'Gifted Classes' Enrollment, Natural Science Track Dominates

Despite the growing influence of AI and the semiconductor industry on the job market, Changhua Senior High School and Changhua Girls' Senior High School in Taiwan are maintaining their enrollment for "Gifted Education" (語資班) programs. This comes as other institutions, like Taichung First Senior High School, have discontinued similar programs.

However, a notable shift is occurring in student preferences at the high school level. In their second year, students are increasingly opting for natural science tracks over humanities and social sciences. At Changhua Senior High School, humanities and social sciences tracks account for only 4 out of 21 classes (excluding the music program), representing about 20% of the student body. The natural sciences tracks, including science and math gifted classes, comprise the remaining 16 classes, or 80%.

Changhua Girls' Senior High School shows a similar trend, though less pronounced. Currently, 5 out of 15 classes per grade level are dedicated to humanities and social sciences, making up 40% of the student population. The natural sciences tracks, including math gifted classes and bilingual experimental classes (which focus on STEM fields), constitute the remaining 9 classes, or 60%.

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High school is just one stage of learning in life. The school always advises students to recognize their potential and follow their interests to choose between the social sciences or natural sciences track.

School principals acknowledge the trend. Wang Yan-huang, principal of Changhua Senior High School, advises students to explore their potential and interests when choosing their academic path. He noted that Changhua Senior High School, which admits only male students in its regular classes, has historically had more natural science classes. Conversely, Changhua Girls' Senior High School, which previously favored humanities, has seen a complete reversal, with natural sciences now dominating.

Chen Xiang-yun, principal of Changhua Girls' Senior High School, attributes the surge in natural science enrollment among female students to Taiwan's achievements in AI and semiconductors, creating a strong pull in the current job market. Both schools confirmed that their gifted education programs will continue to recruit students.

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Because of Taiwan's proud achievements in AI and semiconductors, and the trend in employment, more female students are choosing to study natural sciences.