TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — National Chung Cheng University has declined a NT$2 billion (US$61 million) land donation from the closed Sieh Chih Vocational High School.
CCU explained the aging buildings on the property would require an estimated NT$100 million to restore, a cost the university cannot bear alone. The university is collaborating with Chiayi County Government and education, health, and economic ministries to secure funding, per CNA.
While no agreement has been reached between the university and the high school, CCU expressed gratitude for the school’s decades of contributions to education. The university remains hopeful for future collaboration to promote local development and educational progress.
Sieh Chih Vocational High School, established in 1970, originally intended to transition into a community college. However, due to complications with land use regulations, the school ceased enrollment in 2019 and officially closed in August 2022, leaving 160 staff members unemployed, according to Businesstoday.
The school board had agreed to donate the land to CCU in 2021, with the university’s academic affairs committee approving its use for post-bachelor medical programs, community college, and continuing education in April 2022. CCU said it highly values the donation.
Several Taiwanese high schools and vocational schools have asked the Ministry of Education to reduce their student intake this year, UDN reported. The ministry confirmed that 18 schools have proposed smaller classes, with adjustments already made to decrease class sizes by one or two students to address the declining birthrate.
Taiwan's population declined by 22,022 to 23,402,220 last year, marking negative growth. Births also hit a record low of 134,000, down 715 from the previous year, per CNA.
School officials said that rural areas are experiencing even sharper population declines than the national average. While national high schools might still meet enrollment goals, neglecting to reduce class sizes could create a crisis for vocational and private schools.
