Angie Hsu explains why Taiwanese students study science

There is widespread concern in many Western countries over declining levels in the uptake of science at upper levels of high school. This decline is in large part attributed to students’ negative attitudes towards their experience of science as a school subject.

Against the situation in Western countries, Taiwan presents an interesting and paradoxical context. Taiwanese students always rank within the top five places of any international science and maths competition or assessments, including Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS), the OECD Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) and the International Olympiad. Taiwan has a worldwide reputation for its electronics and computer industries, and this also suggests a high level of technology development in Taiwan. It seems that science education in Taiwan has been a success story.

More than half of Taiwanese high school and university students study natural sciences rather than social sciences. But a recent study (1) shows that the link between enjoying science and choosing to study it is weak. In effect, students opt for science whether they like it or not.

The study showed that all students valued science and its usefulness in the future job market. However, the decision to choose to study science and engineering seems to depend on a number of complex factors: psychological, socio-cultural, economic and, most importantly, familial expectation. 

More than half of Taiwanese high school and university students study natural sciences rather than social sciences

Science for status

Taiwanese students calculate carefully the value of their university education for getting a job. Since Confucius, who lived 2500 years ago, education has been highly valued, and every student is expected to at least finish their education at university level. (More than 80 per cent of students in Taiwan go to universities.) However, Taiwanese students decide their study groups at the age of 17 and there are only two choices: natural science or social studies. Most of the students, unless they had a strong dislike or very low scores in science subjects, consider science as the first choice. It seems impossible for social studies students to transfer to the science group if they find themselves not liking it.

Because scholars are highly respected in traditional Chinese society, scientists and engineers generally have high social status. They are deemed more knowledgeable and skilled than other professionals because they are able to contribute their skills in production or new inventions. In addition, positive stories about engineers, and also their good salaries, are constantly mentioned nationwide by the media.

Government support

Government-led economic policies mean the country is focussed on high-technology industry. The government has set up several science industrial parks. It has invested heavily to enable more and more companies to enter high-tech industry. And in order to supply enough human resource, the Taiwanese government has also provided large grants for public universities.

Recently, the Taiwanese Ministry of Education has given a special grant, £170 million, to ten universities to help them to position themselves within the list of the top one hundred world-wide universities. Most of these chosen universities are science- or engineering-based.

Family expectations

Traditionally, Taiwanese families expect their children, especially boys, to support the family when they grow up. The idea of security, also promoted by Confucius, is important in Chinese families. Therefore, boys are particularly expected to choose science because that will improve their chances in the job market.

Due to the lack of social welfare, it is not acceptable for young people to be unemployed. Another important Chinese tradition is to honour the family. Achieving this brings high social status.

Success and security

There is a strong pro-science environment within Taiwanese society. With all these factors taken into account, it can be seen that actually liking science, or enjoying learning it, does not feature in students’ decision-making processes. Choosing science means a higher possibility of success and security for them, and this justifies their choice and motivates their learning. Confucius and his followers probably never thought that they would be encouraging pupils to choose science 2500 years on.

Although Taiwan has a very different culture and teaching from that of Britain, the Taiwanese value of education, science and engineering might be something that the British can learn from. As the origin of modern science and technology, Britain should be in a better position to lead the world’s technology and science.

Reference

1. C Hsu, (2008), Choosing to Study Science in Taiwanese Schools: Perception of Science and Other Influences on Students’ Choices. PhD Thesis. University of Bath

Angie Chiu-Yen Hsu recently 
finished her PhD in Education at
the University of Bath