Taichung First Senior High School to Discontinue Gifted Language Class in 2026 After 23 Years

(Central News Agency, Taichung, 5th) Taichung First Senior High School's (TCFSH) gifted language class, facing declining enrollment for years, has decided to stop recruiting starting from the 115th academic year (2026) following a school affairs meeting. The 23-year-old gifted language program will become history. However, similar programs at Taichung Girls' Senior High School, Taichung Second Senior High School, and Wenhua Senior High School will continue.

TCFSH, Taichung Girls' Senior High School, Taichung Second Senior High School, and Wenhua Senior High School all have gifted language classes. TCFSH had evaluated discontinuing the program two years ago. Despite efforts to boost recruitment, enrollment remained unsatisfactory, leading to the school affairs meeting's decision to stop admissions from the 115th academic year.

TCFSH Principal Lin Long-yan told CNA that enrollment in the gifted language class dropped to just over ten students three years ago. Despite intensified recruitment efforts, the number of new students has remained in the single digits in recent years. The small class size prevents students from participating in many inter-class activities. Currently, the class has 12 seniors, 11 juniors, and only 7 sophomores.

Principal Lin explained that since students' exam choices are not restricted by their class group, most choose the most advantageous science-oriented group (Group 3), studying and taking exams across all subjects, and ultimately choosing schools and departments based on exam scores. Statistics show that the number of students who eventually choose social science departments is greater than those enrolled in the social science group. Some students switch to law or accounting based on their grades or interests.

Lin noted that early on, TCFSH had only 2 or 3 social science classes, which increased to 7 due to commercial development before declining again after the peak. Students' choice of study group often follows current social trends and career directions. Currently, the school has 76 seniors and fewer than 60 juniors in the social science group. He did not rule out the possibility of restarting the program if student interest in the gifted language class increases in the future.

In response to the 108 curriculum guidelines, Taichung Girls' Senior High School transformed and renamed its gifted language class to the "Humanities and Social Sciences Gifted Class" several years ago. Principal Hung Yu-ling admitted that the number of applicants for special gifted classes has indeed declined, from over 100 to around 30, but current numbers are sufficient to form a class. She stated that as long as there is student demand, the program will continue.

Taichung Second Senior High School Principal Ou Ching-yu mentioned that enrollment in the gifted language class has been stable over the past three years, and the number of social science classes has increased by one this year to seven. Wenhua Senior High School Principal Huang Wei-li said there has been no significant fluctuation in enrollment in recent years, and the school will continue its gifted language class, which currently has 20 to 25 students per class.

A parent of a gifted class student commented that the gifted language class focuses heavily on foreign language learning, with a relatively small proportion of Chinese studies. Children today generally have a certain level of foreign language ability, and some even self-study second or third foreign languages. Children can find learning resources on their own, so attending a gifted language class is not an absolute necessity. (Editor: Chen Renhua) 1150605