Education Emancipation Organization : Students demand curricula remain in place

Monday, February 16, 2015

Students demand curricula remain in place

By Wu Po-Hsuan and Chen Wei-han / Staff reporter, with staff writer

Tue, Feb 17, 2015 - Page 3

A group of student protesters rallied in front of the Ministry of Education building yesterday, demanding the withdrawal of a set of controversial high-school curriculum guidelines that the ministry plans to implement in August — despite a decision by the High Administrative Court on Thursday last week ruling against the proposed changes.

More than 50 protesters — joined by Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Legislator Huang Wei-cher (黃偉哲) and Taiwan Solidarity Union (TSU) Legislator Chou Ni-an (周倪安) — held placards protesting against what they called the ministry’s illegal act of drafting and implementing the new curriculum guidelines.

The draft amendments to the history curriculum only focus on Taiwanese history, with certain chapters having more than half of their contents revised, National Chengchi University’s Graduate Institute of Taiwan History associate professor Lee Fu-chung (李福鐘) said.

The proposed curriculum would replace a pluralistic, global perspective on Taiwanese history with a distinct pro-China bias, as it stresses the contributions of the Qing Dynasty to Taiwan’s development and downplays the role of Japan, he said.

It also reintroduces an outdated term quan fu (光復) — meaning the recovery of Taiwan by the Republic of China from Japanese rule, he said, adding that the term is a throwback to former president Chiang Kai-shek’s (蔣介石) regime.

Ordinary teachers have been excluded from the ministry’s decisonmaking process, Dazhi Senior High School teacher Huang Yi-chung (黃益中) said, and the official notification that a curriculum hearing was to be held arrived only after the registration deadline had expired, Huang said, adding that the ministry refused to disclose records of the hearing in the name of personal data protection.

He said the “defective curricula” should be revoked and teachers should be consulted before curricula are drawn up.

Youth Group in Defense of Taiwan Culture and History activist Lan Shih-po (藍士博) said they held protests against the ministry’s curricular adjustments last year, and he regretted that the ministry had ignored their appeals.

He demanded that the ministry redraft the curriculum guidelines, saying that the ministry’s draft proposal was procedurally flawed according to the High Administrative Court’s ruling. Restoration of Taiwan Social Justice activist Lin Yu-lun (林于倫) said that the ministry’s proposed changes do not do justice to the period of Japanese rule or aboriginal history, adding that the ministry should not serve as a mouthpiece for the Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) or China.

In response, K-12 Education Administration director Wu Ching-shan (吳清山) said the ministry would consider appealing the court’s ruling after it receives the verdict documentation.

However, the court’s ruling was based on the ministry’s information disclosure, rather than the contents of curricular adjustments, he said.

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Menu of Teachers' Union Activities

Teachers' Union chapters need to be more actively democratic and responsive to its members needs. It is important to achieve this by creating sub-committees that would address areas of interest to members and get many members involved. Each sub- committee would be comprised of teacher and para-professional volunteers and facilitated by an elected committee member. Sub-committee membership is the vehicle for any interested teacher or para-professional who would like to become more active in social or political issues affecting the teachers' union chapter,improve the flow of information to  members, and make improvements to  work

environment.

MENU OF UNION ACTIVITIES Listed below is each objective and a proposal for sub-committees that would be created to realize that objective. Maybe you have an idea for another sub-committee? Remember, the form and direction of each sub-committee takes shape through you.

OBJECTIVE -ACTIVITY “To cooperate to the fullest extent with the labor movement

and to work for a progressive labor philosophy to awaken in

all members a labor consciousness and sense of solidarity

with labor.”

1. Union Solidarity Committee: Discuss labor issues with

possible petition drives. Update and advise colleagues on

contract issues. Contact and keep up with labor issues in

other schools in the area and worldwide..

****************************************************************

“To protect the schools against unsound economy and against efforts at domination by political, economic, religious, or military group.”

2. Sweat-free School Committee: Help your school join the

movement against sweatshops by identifying violators and

using union-made items at school.

3. Tolerance Committee: Discuss and recommend ways for

helping students get along better and helping teachers

understand cultural diversity. Work with clubs and the

student organization to promote cross-cultural sensitivity.

**************************************************************

“To promote education as a social agency for developing

the capacities of the young, for enlightened adults, and for

working toward a society motivated by the ideal of service and democratic participation.”

4. Teachers’ Resource Committee: Organize and expand

the teachers’ library resources such as videos, text,

classroom activity manuals, and member services brochures.

This includes the maintenance of office equipment, such as

the copy machine, computer, printer, and television. ****************************************************************

“To make members aware of their political responsibilities.”

5. Bulletin Committee: Update, decorate, and maintain the

union message boards. Monitor and maintain our list-serve.

Consider creating a chapter newsletter.

****************************************************************

“To advance the economic and professional interests of

members.”

6. Financial Advisory Committee: Act as an adviser to both

new and old colleagues with their financial questions on 401K, tax deferred annuity, DA, pension, and payroll.

7. In-Service Training Committee: Act as an advisor assisting

colleagues on licensing requirements, degree fulfillment, as

well as available classes for professional development, and

credits toward salary steps. Have information on sabbaticals. *****************************************************************

“To establish the active participation of education employees

in the formulation of educational policies.”

8. Education Committee: Discuss trends in education,

standardized testing, and effective teaching methodologies.

Create and develop a bank of useful teaching methodologies,

materials and plans. Assist colleagues *****************************************************************

“To work for democratic administration and supervision.”

9. Union-Administration Consultation Committee: Form an

agenda from sub-committee suggestions and prepare for

consultation meetings with the principal as required of elected Committee members. Report to the rank and file.

10. School General Assembly Committee: Attend, present our

petitions, and report on G.A. Required of Committee Delegates. ******************************************************************

“To protect members whenever necessary.”

11. Safety Committee: Advise colleagues on strategies for

classroom management and violence prevention. Instruct on

the procedures established for dealing with disruptive students.

12. New Teacher Support Group: Help new teachers maneuver in your school and give advise on clerical matters. how to survive an observation, and how to file grievance reports. Review mentoring candidates and help with selection.

13. Health Committee: Advise on insurance plans and make

available listings of doctors, dentists, and labs. Make available

 information of stress management. Work toward making your

school a safer school. Meet with cafeteria personnel to discuss and develop healthier lunch menus.

*****************************************************************

I believe each sub-committee can work toward creating a new

union environment in our schools, one of action, inclusion, and service. Each person can contribute to their area of expertise. In these days of union entrenchment, we must be more active to protect the gains you have made and make sure we’re fairly represented.

Education Emancipation Organization

Monday, February 16, 2015

Students demand curricula remain in place

Students demand curricula remain in place

By Wu Po-Hsuan and Chen Wei-han / Staff reporter, with staff writer

Tue, Feb 17, 2015 - Page 3

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A Socially Conscious Approach to Literacy