Ideological and identity issues in Taiwan’s moral education curriculum

Abstract

This paper investigates the transformation of ‘identity issues and ideological concepts’ that emerged in the curriculum standards and textbooks for moral education in Taiwan, spanning from the Japanese colonial period through the authoritarian regime era to the present day. The analyzed documents include historical records related to educational policy-making, curriculum standards, and textbooks used during these periods. Across different socio-historical contexts, Taiwan’s moral education curriculum reflects not only shifts in ethical values but also transformations in political ideologies, cultural/ethnic identity, national identity, and patriotism. Loyalty transitioned from allegiance to the Japanese emperor, to loyalty to the ruling political party and the concept of a greater China, and finally to loyalty to Taiwan’s polity and global ecological citizenship. Similarly, identity evolved from becoming Japanese to becoming Chinese, and later Taiwanese. Additionally, core Confucian concepts and values were integrated with political ideologies across these different historical periods.