Taipei, Oct. 3 (CNA) Modernizing Taiwan's outdated education system will not be easy, but the government must not shy away from its responsibilities simply because of the challenge, President Chen Shui-bian said Friday.
Speaking to a group of students who had won awards in various international academic competitions, the president affirmed his commitment to the 10-year-old education reforms, which have encountered strong opposition because of the problems in making substantial changes.
Chen said Taiwan's education system used to be a tool of the rulers who used it to turn out loyal followers. Although it produced some worthy persons in the past, the system has dampened -- even smothered -- students' creativity and blunted the country's competitiveness, the president said.
Along with the changing atmosphere in Taiwan, the country needs an education system which is more open, more liberal, and more likely to meet the needs of society, the president said. "The process of transformation is not trouble-free, but we can't retreat and give up our efforts to attain our goals because of the difficulty of the tasks," Chen said.
Taiwan students' excellent performance in international academic competitions remind the government of its duty to provide an excellent education system, which can bring out the best in all students, the president added.