Department of Information and Tourism, Taipei City Government

Regarding the implementation of the single textbook policy, Mayor Hau Lung-bin announced that the plan will be implemented next year at a Legislative Yuan public hearing session on July 21.
To listen to public opinions, Legislator Sun Ta-chien called a meeting on the issue and invited representatives from various organizations, including Taipei City Government, Ministry of Education (MOE), National Teachers Association of Taiwan, and Taipei County Parents Association.
Hau said he has always favored a plan emphasizing one guideline and a single-version textbook. The city government has organized over 20 panel discussion sessions in Taipei and, according to the mayor, “the majority of parents are supportive (of the policy).”
The mayor stressed that he does not agree with curriculums gearing towards examinations and believes that students should attend schools near their home. However, to ensure the rights of students from other municipalities, there will be room reserved for these out-of-city applicants. Noting that there are parents who believe in credentialism, Hau pointed out that the single textbook policy is a way to relieve these concerns and to make effective use of money, time, and resources.
Sun pointed out that the responsibility of the legislator is to design a system that will make the burden on both parents and students more reasonable, as well as to bring up a younger generation that is competitive. He agrees with the single textbook policy, and even hopes for a return to a single textbook authorized by MOE.