MOE expands After-school Internet Tutoring Program for students in remote elementary schools

MOE expands After-school Internet Tutoring Program for students in remote elementary schools

The MOE this year will expand its Internet After-school Tutoring Program to students in rural areas, starting from Nantou County, to Northern and Southern Taiwan. This program is already being implemented in elementary schools in Taipei and Kaohsiung Counties.

The Internet After-school Tutoring Program is under the direction of the MOE, implemented by the Hsinchu County Government, the National Chinan University, and the Boyo Social Welfare Foundation in Nantou County. The sponsor is the TVBS Foundation for Culture & Education.

The program was formally launched on May 10. Distinguished guests present during the formal inauguration included MOE Computer Center Director Yang Zheng-hong, Hsinchu County Magistrate Cheng Yung-chin, and some school principals.

Many NGOs and business enterprises have in fact been engaged in various after-school tutoring programs for disabled students and those in schools in townships. However, those programs were confined to towns and cities. Students in remote areas hardly get access to after-school tutoring due to the high cost of sending tutors.

The MOE commissioned the National Chi Nan University in 2006 to establish the "After-School Internet Tutoring Platform" that provides those students with "one-to-one" or "one-to-many" tutoring service through the Internet. In this program, many college students serve as tutors.

This year, the program will be implemented in Northern, Central and Southern Taiwan, based in Fu Jen Catholic University, National Chi Nan University, and Wenzao Ursuline College of Languages respectively.