TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The defense ministry responded to reports that Chinese history and English language courses will be reduced in curriculums on Tuesday (Dec. 3) by saying it does not dictate course content.
UDN reported Monday that the defense ministry asked academies to reduce teaching topics such as Sun Tzu’s (孫子) “Art of War” and English, instead opting for topics on “modern thought,” human rights, and democratic development. The report also said modern Chinese history courses would be changed to world history courses.
Asked about the issue at a press conference on Tuesday, Talent Development Office Director Major General Fu Cheng-jung (傅政榮) said military academies in Taiwan have been independent of the defense ministry under the University Act since 1999, per CNA. He said neither the defense ministry nor the academies adjust courses.
Fu said the Talent Development Office conducts annual meetings to discuss education plans. The ministry asks academies to review courses to ensure they are effective and up to date.
Fu said academies and their deans preside over independent committees that review the courses. The committees include scholars, external experts, student representatives, teachers, and ministry staffers, he said.
Fu said an example of this autonomy is how modern Chinese history is taught in academies. He noted the naval and military academies teach the subject using two separate textbooks not chosen by the defense ministry.
Fu said the same goes for English courses. He said the textbooks, teaching materials, and credits offered for these courses differ among the naval, air force, and military academies.
Taiwan's military academies teach students 10 core courses and electives in their four-year degree programs. The core courses are Chinese, English, world history, philosophy, legal studies, psychology, the constitution and founding of the state, modern Chinese history, military theory, and China studies.