Education Group Worries Academic Tests Deviate from Purpose; MOE: Should Return to Diagnostic Function

(CNA) The National Federation of Education Industry Unions (NFEIU) pointed out today that many local governments are linking students' academic test results to class rankings, teacher performance, and principal evaluations, which has deviated from the tests' original nature. The Ministry of Education (MOE) is calling on local governments to let academic tests return to their function of diagnosing and supporting learning. Lin Hui-jung, chair of the NFEIU, stated at a press conference that 17 local governments will hold student learning ability tests on the 28th. The original intention was to help teachers understand student learning outcomes, but it has now changed. Some schools have resorted to borrowing class time, repetitive drills, and public class rankings. If standards are not met, teachers are held accountable, which has affected students' normal learning. The MOE responded in writing this evening, stating that whether to hold academic tests is the responsibility of local governments; however, primary and junior high schools must follow the 12-year basic education curriculum, and related tests must also take into account normal teaching and curriculum arrangements. The MOE emphasized that the analysis of test results should aim to help schools and teachers grasp student learning needs, avoiding unnecessary administrative burdens. Furthermore, the MOE urged local governments to use test results as a reference for student learning support, teaching assistance, and educational resource allocation, avoiding their use as a basis for assigning individual teacher responsibility, performance evaluations, or as a single performance indicator for schools.