Education and teaching are highly valued in Taiwanese culture. The first six years of education are compulsory. Eighty percent of the students continue their education and complete grades seven to nine. The government supports the first nine years of education. Taiwan has a low school drop-out rate. Its literacy level, therefore, is high. Local governments pay teachers' salaries. School facilities are often used after hours for extensive supplementary adult education programs. The school year is nine months long and a great deal of emphasis is placed on discipline. The standard school week runs from Monday to Saturday at noon. Children wear uniforms according to their grade level. They also follow strict rules which govern hair styles and general physical appearance.

Did you know? Dr. Sun Yat-sen's The Three Principles of the People is a widely read book. The three principles are Nationalism, Mintsu, Livelihood, Minshens, and Civil Rights, Minchuan. The national anthem of Taiwan is also entitled, Three Principles of the People.

When they get to school every morning the children's home-made lunches are collected and steamed before being returned to them for eating at lunchtime. Although many children speak Taiwanese at home, in school they are taught in the Mandarin Chinese language. Homework is taken very seriously in Taiwan. Starting with the first grade, children are assigned homework even during their two-month summer holiday. Taiwanese parents check the homework daily and sign the assignments before the students return to school and hand them in to the teachers. Education is competitive for students, who must pass an exam to get into high school, university and college.

Did you know? An abacus is an ancient Chinese counting tool.