In the global context of education, the amount of time students spend at school varies significantly from one country to another. Taiwan is well known for its high-performing education system; however, there is a dark side to it. Taiwanese students spend so much time at school that they usually don’t have time for anything else, affecting their well-being and social skills in the long term.
How long do Taiwanese students spend at school?
Taiwan is regarded as the country where students spend the most time at school. Taiwanese students typically adhere to a rigorous academic schedule. On average, students in primary and secondary education spend about 9 to 10 hours at school each day, with a typical school day starting around 7:30 am and concluding at 5 pm.
The worrisome aspect? This duration only includes regular class hours! The vast majority of Taiwanese students engage in extracurricular activities, and many also attend additional study sessions at cram schools (known as buxiban in Chinese – 補習班). Taiwanese students often find themselves in a classroom until as late as 10 pm on weekdays and, on average, dedicate an additional 8 hours to homework on weekends (seven times the average in the US!).
Furthermore, the academic year in Taiwan is longer compared to some other countries, spanning from early September to late June, with very few holidays in between.
How many years Taiwanese spend at school?
Under the current education system in Taiwan, there are 12 years of compulsory education. However, Taiwanese students typically spend an average of 20 years in the education system. This includes 6 years of primary school, three years of junior high school, and three years of senior high school—completing the compulsory education phase. Following this, there are four years of bachelor’s education and an additional one to four years for master’s education.
Consequences
While the Taiwanese education system has been praised for producing high-achieving students, the extended hours at school have raised concerns about the well-being of students. The intense workload and pressure to succeed academically can take a toll on their physical and mental health. Stress, sleep deprivation, and a lack of social skills are all common issues.
Lack of daily play time
A recent survey in Taiwan revealed concerning trends in children’s play habits. Almost 40 percent of Taiwanese children spend less than an hour a day playing. The survey indicates that as children grow, academic responsibilities and extracurricular activities reduce their leisure time.
Additionally, the majority of this playtime is dedicated to video games, often being the most convenient activity for both kids and parents when time is limited. However, video games don’t allow for active participation or creative play.
Obesity and lack of sleep
The lack of physical activities has a profound impact on Taiwanese students. Taiwan as a whole has an obesity problem, and children are not an exception. About 30% of Taiwanese individuals under the age of 18 are considered overweight.
This is a direct result of the intense school system that prevents more than half of students from getting the minimum daily physical activity and the recommended minimum of 7 hours of sleep daily.
Exhaustion and fear of failure
The intense academic demands, constant testing, lack of sleep due to late-night cramming, and parental expectations contribute to stress. This intense pressure on individuals of younger age has led to an increase in self-harm and even suicide.
Additionally, within the Taiwanese educational landscape, there is an intriguing paradox. Even though students are doing well in their studies, many of them still worry a lot about failing and don’t feel confident in their abilities. This situation raises questions about how the high expectations in schools might be messing with students’ minds and confidence.
Government’s response
The government took a swing at dealing with this by rolling out a brand spanking new national curriculum in 2019, all about nurturing students’ talents and encouraging lifelong learning. The big idea was to make sure every student gets the chance to shine based on their unique abilities.
Fast forward four years after this grand plan hit the scene, and well, not much seems to have shifted. Critics are saying that the load on both teachers and students hasn’t lightened up all that much. Despite the good intentions and big promises, it looks like the day-to-day reality of school life hasn’t changed as much as everyone hoped it would.
While Taiwan’s education system has gained praise for producing high-achieving students, the dark side of its intense academic demands is evident. Extended school hours contribute to stress, sleep deprivation, and a lack of social skills among students. Alarming trends include reduced playtime, reliance on video games, and rising obesity rates.
Despite the government’s attempt with a revamped national curriculum in 2019, critics argue that little has changed. The persistent issues point to a need for a more holistic approach, prioritizing student well-being alongside academic achievement. The challenge remains in striking a balance that fosters not only successful students but also happy and healthy individuals.
Bubble Tea Island 