Gubao Home Economics & Commerce Vocational School Plans to Stop Enrollment; Baseball Team to Move to Sanchong High School

(Central News Agency reporter Tsao Ya-yen, New Taipei City, June 11) Gubao Home Economics & Commerce Vocational School, a powerhouse in high school baseball, plans to stop enrollment and transition in the 2026 academic year. Former New Taipei City councilor Tsai Ming-tang, a long-term sponsor of the baseball team, said today that the initial plan is to move the baseball team to Sanchong High School next year, establish a baseball specialty class, and emphasized that resources will continue to be provided.

Gubao Principal Yen Ying-che recently revealed that due to the impact of the declining birth rate, the school plans to stop enrolling in current vocational departments starting in 2026 and transition into a bilingual elementary, junior high, and high school. As Gubao's baseball team has historically cultivated many professional baseball players domestically and internationally, there is external concern about the team's future.

Principal Yen stated in a phone interview with CNA today that a meeting was held recently with the New Taipei City Education Department and other units to explain the funding and equipment needed for the baseball team, providing a direction for evaluation. Enrollment for this year's sports class has been completed. If the stop of enrollment is confirmed for 2026, the baseball team may move to another school. Whether that school is Sanchong High School still requires evaluation and discussion by the Education Department and has not yet been decided.

Tsai Ming-tang, founder of the Gubao baseball team, said the New Taipei City Government is currently coordinating with Sanchong High School. If Gubao stops enrollment in the 2026 academic year, the baseball team is planned to start recruiting at Sanchong High School next year. For the 2025 academic year, Gubao's sports class will move to Sanchong High School, with plans to establish one "baseball specialty class" per grade. Details are still under discussion. He also stated he will continue to provide resources to support the team's operations.

The New Taipei City Education Department responded today that the June 8 meeting was only for initial communication and discussion with the school, and it will continue to guide the school towards sustainable development. Currently, Gubao is still enrolling students for the 2025 academic year, and all school affairs are normal, not affecting students' right to education. The department has not yet received any plans from the school regarding stopping enrollment, closure, or transformation. If any transition or adjustment occurs in the future, it will be handled according to the law. (Editor: Chang Ya-ching) 1150611