Appearances, as someone once said can often be deceiving. National Kaohsiung Teachers' College is a rather appropriate example of such a statement. Visitors, on initial forays to the campus may be slightly taken aback by the rather plain, austere facade of the campus buildings. Further accentuating this ordered simplicity are the spotless manicured grounds. Walking through the campus, the guest comes to realize that the school's appearance, coupled with the neatly attired, rather subdued nature of the student population are embodiments not of severity but rather the pursuit of ideals sought in developing future teachers.

Hard working, neat, serious-these are just a few of the qualities that best describe the average student at the National Kaohsiung Teachers' College. Since the college is dedicated to developing the future teacher, it is the school instructors and lecturers who set an important example for the undergraduates. Impeccable deportment, and strict adherence to such traits as not smoking on campus help to impress upon students the important role teachers must play. As college president, Chang Shou-shan says, "Although these may seem like insignificant details, students at the college will one day assume the role of instructor, and as such their behaviour will become a model for their pupils."

National Kaohsiung Teachers' College, like its sister counterpart, the National Taiwan Normal University in Taipei, is responsible for the development of middle and junior school teachers. Government assisted, students attend classes for four years then spend one year in real classroom situations practice teaching. Upon graduation they are then obliged to give four years of teaching service.

The campus, while classified as "mini" in size (at 14 hectares in area), houses seven undergraduate departments and two graduate faculties. Classes are divided into both "day" and "night" schools, with the daytime student population approaching 1,600 and the night division having 1,300 enrolled in courses. Students are generally drawn from the central and southern communities stretching from Chiayi in the central area to Taitung in the southeast. Teachers and principals seeking to upgrade skills or further enhance existing credentials comprise the greatest number of evening students. There are no less than 20 principals presently enrolled in evening lectures.

Originally the Kaohsiung Women's Normal School, the college has enjoyed an active history stretching back some 50 years. The first classes of students were trained as elementary teachers, but in 1967 the government passed important legislation which expanded the length of compulsory education to nine years. In adhering to this sudden need for junior school teachers, the school's name was changed to include this designation for training junior school teachers. Chin Yen-sheng was appointed to the position of school president. Initially the college included three undergraduate departments: Chinese, English and mathematics. In the ensuing years a technical education department (those courses of a more specialized nature such as drafting and mechanics) was added along with an education and chemistry department. The early years were ones of constant struggle and frequent financial constraint. Director of the education department, Ch'iu Chao-wei muses, "During those early times the president was quite thrifty (due to budgetary limitations) but the teachers felt he was stingy. Later, when they themselves held administrative positions they soon came to realize what a difficult home the school was to manage." Ch'iu Chao-wei knows whereof he speaks, he was one of those teachers.

Hsueh Kwang-tsu assumed the presidency of the college in 197l and during his period of administration added physics to the undergraduate departments and established two graduate faculties-Chinese and education. President Hsueh, continuing the previous austerity measures was able to help the school expand existing department equipment and facilities. The big break, however, occurred in 1980 when the government conferred national college status on the school, entitling it to large increases in budgetary allotments.

In 1981, Lin Ch'ing-chiang was appointed to the post of college president and with his title came the administration of a new massive budget. A great portion of the budget went to the expansion and construction of new building facilities. This new growth also was manifested in the teaching area as well. Guest lecturers from both within the nation and from abroad were invited to teach at the college. The president, aware of the rather sheltered location of the school in terms of distance from the cultural stimulus of Taipei, actively pursued a policy of inviting guest lecturers and promoting other activities.

While students seem somewhat more subdued than other college co-eds they also possess the charming virtues of their rural roots. Their ability to commit themselves to their goal of becoming teachers ensures that they are less likely to be distracted by other outside influences.

Social clubs and organizations are a special highlight of post-class life on campus. Despite the relatively small student population, the college boasts over 50 different clubs and groups. Ranging the gamut from theatre to literary appreciation groups, these organizations help to develop the students academic and social horizons.

The National Kaohsiung Teachers' College represents the foundations for the future educational base of the nation. Training top students in this vein, it also represents the hope and force of a new generation of educators.

(Gerald Hatherly)

[Picture Caption]

1,2. The practical, diligent students at the National Kaohsiung Teachers' College modestly feel they are not fully qualified to assume the role of teacher. It is quite common to see these industrious students studying in the library and around campus at most hours of the day.

1. An experiment in the physics department. 2. Teacher-student interaction is quite widespread. College president, Chang Shou-shan, often takes the time to chat with students. 3. A night shot of the new administration building and the library. 4. Just as this dutiful gardener waters these flowers, graduating students at the National Kaohsiung Teachers' College will also become gardeners of a sort. They will be responsible for the cultivation of the nation's students.

1. Students in the natural sciences department often construct their own teaching aids. The school also extends great effort to supply students with the most complete equipment and facilities. 2. The simple, charming female students prefer a game of baseball over a dance.

1,2. The practical, diligent students at the National Kaohsiung Teachers' College modestly feel they are not fully qualified to assume the role of teacher. It is quite common to see these industrious students studying in the library and around campus at most hours of the day.

1. An experiment in the physics department.

2. Teacher-student interaction is quite widespread. College president, Chang Shou-shan, often takes the time to chat with students.

3. A night shot of the new administration building and the library.

4. Just as this dutiful gardener waters these flowers, graduating students at the National Kaohsiung Teachers' College will also become gardeners of a sort. They will be responsible for the cultivation of the nation's students.

1. Students in the natural sciences department often construct their own teaching aids. The school also extends great effort to supply students with the most complete equipment and facilities.

2. The simple, charming female students prefer a game of baseball over a dance.