Department of Information and Tourism, Taipei City Government

Taipei Mayor Hau Lung-bin met with a group of homeschooling parents on January 13 to discuss the effectiveness and challenges of the system. He noted that the choice of educating children at home reflects the parents’ interest in the education of the kids.
Chen Yi-kuang, the convener of Taipei Homeschool Advocates, pointed out that Taipei City is the first municipality in Taiwan, having approved regulations on homeschooling back in 1997. As of today, there are over 300 students in Taipei enrolled in homeschooling.
He praised the mayor for important education policies including the single textbook policy and the North Star Project. Chen also expressed his hope of seeing the implementation of the nation’s first 12-year compulsory education program offering an “escalator system” free of entrance exams in Taipei.
Deputy Commissioner of Education Lin Teng-chiao remarked that under the ongoing 9-year compulsory education program, education from high school onwards is a choice of the individual student. The Department of Education (DOE) will adhere to changes adopted by the central government and adjust education record examination and transcript verification procedures accordingly.
Regarding concerns of parents over recognition of official school records and transcripts, Lin replied that high school students seeking permission for homeschooling must first obtain student status from a high school or vocational school before submitting the application to the department. DOE is looking into the possibility of designating a high school or equivalent institution granting student status to homeschooled students.