Higher Education Massification in Taiwan: Equity for Whom?

Abstract

Equity is the status in which all students, regardless of their personal and social circumstances, are given proper resources and support to achieve their educational potential. Higher education has always been a key element of social mobilization since it is considered a right that should be given to all in a world of knowledge economy. Under the influence of higher education massification, the admission rate to higher education in Taiwan has come to a peak of over 90%. Equity in accessing higher education for all students has still been challenged. In this chapter, the authors discuss the challenge of higher education equity in Taiwan by investigating who benefits from higher education massification. The chapter examines the influence of the two important policies for equity—the Multiple Entrance Program (MEP) and the Tuition and Miscellaneous Fees Exemption (TMFE)—on students' access to higher education. The struggles and challenges that the students from lower socioeconomic backgrounds face before and after they receive higher education are identified. Nonetheless, positive findings regarding the two policies and potentials for Taiwanese higher education institutions in providing quality education for all are also presented in the chapter, which also discusses the remaining concerns and future challenges of fulfilling the goal of equity in higher education in Taiwan.