National Taiwan College of Performing Arts Refutes Allegations of Teachers Aiding Student Cheating, Launches Investigation

(CNA, by reporter Hsu Chih-wei, Taipei, 18th) Media reported that teachers at the National Taiwan College of Performing Arts (NTCPA) were accused of helping high school vocational students cheat on exams. The NTCPA issued a statement today refuting allegations of collective cheating and teacher assistance, stating that the school has launched an internal investigation and that any involvement in exam fraud will be met with the most severe penalty of a major demerit. Mirror Media reported today, based on a parent's complaint, that teachers at the NTCPA aided students in cheating during mid-term and final exams in its high school division. The report alleged that students intentionally prepared 'cheat sheets' before exams, divided responsibilities for different subjects, and that proctoring teachers helped cheating students by agreeing to their suggestion to 'pull down the curtains to evade patrols'. The NTCPA issued a statement today refuting the claims of collective cheating and teacher assistance. The school stated that all communication devices are banned and centrally managed during exams, and that proctors are randomly assigned by a computer system, making it impossible for them to be hand-picked. The patrol mechanism is also conducted through unannounced spot checks by the Dean of Academic Affairs and other supervisors, leaving no room for pre-arranged signals like a 'coughing code' to help evade patrols or cover up cheating. The NTCPA explained that according to school regulations, to maintain the transparency of the examination venue, classroom curtains are not allowed to be fully drawn during regular classes and exams, indicating that the report's description does not match the actual situation. Regarding the media's claim that the direct admission qualifications of third-year high school students were affected, the NTCPA responded that the direct admission process for the vocational high school division was completed during the summer break based on the students' grades from the first four semesters. The exam scores of the third year do not affect existing admission qualifications, and registration has been completed, with the system operating normally. The NTCPA mentioned that the school has initiated an internal investigation. If there is any concrete and identifiable evidence such as recordings or videos, they ask for it to be provided to the school for a strict investigation and handling according to the law. In the future, the school will strengthen its proctoring and patrol mechanisms with stricter standards to ensure the fairness and credibility of exams. Any behavior involving exam fraud (such as plagiarism, passing answers, or using electronic devices to cheat) will be subject to the most severe penalty of a major demerit. (Editor: Chen Ching-fang) 1150518