Lifelong Learning Vouchers Open for Registration Starting May, Quota Increased 3-fold

The Ministry of Education (MOE) plans to open registration for "Lifelong Learning Vouchers" starting May 1st for citizens aged 6 and above. The number of vouchers has been tripled compared to last year. These vouchers can be used to offset tuition fees for community colleges, senior universities, open universities, and "30+" universities. The MOE held a press conference today called "Lifelong Learning Up Up" to explain its lifelong education policy achievements and future outlook, including "Promoting 30+ Universities," lifelong learning vouchers, and the lifelong learning resource platform. Last year's "Lifelong Learning Voucher" program has seen a threefold increase in quotas this year. 36,000 new student vouchers will be drawn, each worth NT$1,500 for tuition fee reduction. 18,000 returning student vouchers will be drawn, each worth NT$1,000, valid for previously attended institutions. The vouchers are applicable to citizens aged 6 and above with ROC nationality and a national ID number. Registration will be open from May 1st to May 21st on the "Lifelong Learning Resource Platform," with the winner announcement expected on May 22nd via SMS notification. Additionally, 20,000 "social education institution passes" will be drawn. These passes can be used at the five MOE-managed social education institutions, plus six cultural institutions managed by the Ministry of Culture, including the National Railway Museum (preparatory office). Vice Minister Liu Guowei stated that "living and learning" cannot remain just a slogan. Taiwan faces multiple challenges including an aging and low birth rate population and industrial transformation; traditional one-off education is no longer sufficient for personal career development. Society needs more flexible and inclusive learning support mechanisms that provide customized guidance, subsidies, and lower participation thresholds. Liu Guowei added that learning is not necessarily for obtaining a degree but "because you want to learn." The MOE will encourage schools to extend classrooms to museums and social education institutions to design engaging and impactful courses.