In response to the nationwide demand for teachers, National Chiayi University (NCYU) continues to build on its strengths in teacher education and expand its capacity to prepare high-quality teachers. NCYU is one of the few comprehensive universities in Taiwan that prepares teachers across all four major areas: elementary, secondary, preschool, and special education, with nearly 400 student teachers trained each year. With its half-century legacy in teacher education and high-quality instruction widely recognized, NCYU will add 94 student teacher places in academic year 2026–2027 with support from the Ministry of Education (MOE), expanding teacher preparation in elementary, secondary, and preschool special education to address teacher needs at different educational levels.
NCYU’s teacher education programs have not only grown in scale but also demonstrated a balanced emphasis on quality and quantity through students’ teacher certification and employment outcomes. In 2026, 76.29% of NCYU’s graduating student teachers passed the Teacher Qualification Examination, exceeding the national pass rate of 55.89%. In teacher recruitment examinations, 164 candidates successfully secured full-time teaching positions, achieving outstanding results in examination areas including Taipei, New Taipei, Taichung, and Kaohsiung. Among them, eight ranked first in their respective examinations, demonstrating the professional competitiveness of NCYU student teachers as they enter the teaching profession.
The additional 94 student teacher places for academic year 2026–2027 are primarily intended to meet staffing needs at different levels of education. The number of student teachers in elementary education will increase by 40, from 39 to 79, including 30 additional places in the master’s program of the Department of Education and 10 in the elementary teacher education program of the Department of Guidance and Counseling. To meet professional needs in early intervention and inclusive education, 40 places will be added in preschool special education. The secondary teacher education program will expand by 14 places, from 72 to 86, further strengthening the capacity to prepare subject teachers for junior and senior high schools.
NCYU President Han-Chien Lin noted that universities bear an important responsibility to address national educational development and societal needs through teacher education. While the addition of 94 student teacher places reflects recognition of NCYU’s longstanding achievements in teacher education, its greater significance lies in addressing the current demand for high-quality teachers at all levels of education. Amid rapid changes in the educational landscape, including AI-enabled digital learning, bilingual education, and inclusive education, future teachers will need strong subject-matter and pedagogical expertise. They will also need skills in digital applications and interdisciplinary integration, along with an understanding of student diversity. NCYU will continue to draw on its comprehensive range of teacher education programs and its strengths as a comprehensive university to achieve simultaneous growth in capacity and quality. The university will also make full use of its additional capacity to train 94 student teachers in academic year 2026–2027, further strengthening professional coursework, educational practice, digital teaching, and support mechanisms for teacher recruitment examinations. While expanding the supply of high-quality teachers, NCYU will maintain the quality of its teacher preparation. The university will also encourage more outstanding students committed to careers in education to undergo comprehensive training and become a key force supporting the next generation of education in Taiwan.
Fu-Hsing Tsai, Director of Teacher Education Center, said that the outstanding results in the Teacher Qualification Examination and teacher recruitment examinations stem from a long-established, comprehensive support system. In addition to providing high-quality professional coursework and faculty, NCYU has implemented a “dual-mentor system” to guide student teachers in their professional learning and career preparation. Each year, the university also organizes a “mock exam sandbox” for the written test, interview, and teaching demonstration required in teacher recruitment examinations. Drawing on the experience and expertise of distinguished alumni, students can familiarize themselves with actual exam settings and gain firsthand experience with the recruitment process before taking formal teacher recruitment examinations, helping bridge the gap between teacher preparation and classroom practice.
Drawing
on its longstanding expertise in teacher education, NCYU integrates diverse
academic disciplines, teaching resources across multiple campuses, and
practical settings such as its affiliated experimental elementary school and
kindergarten. These resources provide student teachers with diverse learning
opportunities spanning educational theory, teaching practice, and field
observation. NCYU continues to prepare high-quality teachers equipped with
professional expertise, dedication, and the competencies needed for the future
of education in Taiwan.
Photo 1: NCYU teacher education faculty and
students learn together to prepare future professionals in preschool education.
(Photo courtesy of the Department of Special Education)
Photo 2: NCYU teacher education faculty and
students deepen their practical learning through an off-campus educational
visit. (Photo courtesy of the Department of Special Education)
Photo 3: NCYU teacher education faculty and
students visit the Assistive Technology Center at Daegu University. (Photo
courtesy of the Department of Special Education)
Photo 4: NCYU student teachers put the spirit
of Albert Schweitzer into practice through sustained educational service in
rural communities. (Photo courtesy of the Teacher Education Center)
Photo 5: NCYU student teachers visit schools to
support schoolchildren in diverse learning experiences. (Photo courtesy of the
Teacher Education Center)