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Taiwanese high school discontinues gifted language program amid declining interest

From Liberty Times · () Chinese

Translated from Chinese, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Taichung First Senior High School in Taiwan will discontinue its gifted language program starting in the 2026 academic year.
  • The decision comes after years of low enrollment, with only single-digit students registering annually.
  • The decline is attributed to the growing popularity of science and technology fields, impacting enrollment in humanities-focused programs.

Taichung First Senior High School, a prominent institution in Taiwan, will discontinue its gifted language program after 23 years. The school's academic affairs meeting resolved to cease enrollment for the program starting in the 2026 academic year.

This decision marks the first such move in the central Taiwan region and reflects a broader trend impacting high school education. The surge in popularity of artificial intelligence and semiconductor industries has led to a significant drop in students opting for humanities tracks. Even specialized programs like the gifted language class have not been immune to this shift.

For several consecutive years, the gifted language program has struggled to attract students, consistently registering only single-digit enrollments. This sustained low interest ultimately led to the school's decision to phase out the program, signaling a potential shift in educational priorities and student aspirations within Taiwan.

DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Liberty Times in Chinese. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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