Reports of Taiwan's falling birthrates have painted a gloomy picture for the future of higher education market, with an estimated 60 universities to be closed down within 12 years. In order to help these schools to expand student pools, the Ministry of Education now plans to roll out a new program that will offer a chance for those without high school diplomas to pursue college degrees.

Taiwan's declining birth rate will lead to a serious condition for universities, as in 12 years, it is estimated that about 60 universities could face closure.

In order to assist universities expand their student base, the Ministry of Education will promote a special new 224 system.

This means that those older than 22 years old with more than four years of work experience and no high school diploma do not need to take entrance exams simply taking a screening test administered by the university and gaining an opportunity to enter college.

As to whether this new 224 plan would require a written exam, the Department of Higher Education says that universities would be able to set their own standards.

Many university presidents endorse the 224 plan with the president of the National Taipei University of Technology saying that one possible screening mechanism may be business recommendations. Some presidents also believe that allowing those to come back to study is a good thing.

They recommend the Ministry of Education opens university enrollment and allows universities the chance to decide what kind of students they would like to recruit.

Also they asked to extend the length of study so that more workers have an incentive to return to school.

Also worries about devaluing the quality of university education has led the Ministry of Education to keep stringent requirements to universities and not to relax the graduation requirements to control the quality of graduates.

Still, the Ministry of Education has started to modify entrance standards and the new system could be implemented next year at the earliest.

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