Taiwanese principal awarded for fostering children's potential through innovative education

Xu Fabin, the principal of Shixing Elementary School in Taiwan's Hsinchu County, has been honored with the prestigious 2026 Ministry of Education's Shi-Da Award, recognizing his 40 years of dedication to education and his forward-thinking approach.

Throughout his career, Xu has championed a philosophy centered on "seeing the infinite possibilities in children." He emphasizes not only reading and technology education but also cultivates a positive campus atmosphere through a "big-to-small" mentoring program. This initiative pairs older students with younger ones for activities like storytelling, fostering a sense of community and mutual support.

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Reading can cultivate children's independent thinking ability, and technology can broaden children's future horizons.

Xu also strongly advocates for parental engagement in a child's development. He has implemented "Four Agreements" that encourage parents to actively participate in their children's lives. These agreements include engaging in outdoor activities together, visiting bookstores monthly, dedicating 15 minutes daily to review schoolwork or read, and spending 10 minutes before bed discussing their school day.

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The essence of education lies in providing diverse opportunities, hoping that children can grow up in a friendly, warm, and supportive environment.

His educational initiatives include integrating programming languages and drone soccer into the curriculum for older students, ensuring equitable access to new technologies. Xu's schools have received multiple accolades, including the Ministry of Education's "Reading Cornerstone Award" and recognition as an excellent Hakka language school. He believes that education's essence lies in providing diverse opportunities within a supportive environment, allowing children to thrive.

Reflecting on the award, Xu described it as a profound moment for educational reflection and introspection. He noted a personal shift in his career, moving from an emphasis on test scores to recognizing the unique potential within each child. He attributes this honor to the collective efforts of his administrative team, teachers, and parents.

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This honor belongs to the collective efforts of all administrative partners, teachers, and parents.