The Chinese government has always emphasized public education. Whether in a large city, small country town or the sparsely populated mountainous and coastal regions, no area lacks public school facilities. Over 99% of all school age children attend primary school, proof of the attainment of true equal opportunity in education in Taiwan.

Among the many large and small public schools of Taiwan, the big ones are comfortable, even handsome, have high education standards, and are equipped with everything. The small ones, even in out of the way mountain villages, although little noticed, are also full of the vigor and energy of education. On the outskirts of Taipei, leaning against Sha Mao Mountain, is such a small school, the Hu Shan Primary School. Although barely over 100 pupils study in this remote school, an overwhelming exuberance abounds in the classrooms and on the school playground.

Hu Shan Primary School is 39 years old this year, built in 1943 during the Japanese occupation of the island. At the school today there are 19 teachers and employees, and students number 111, separated into six grades. Contrary to national trends, the school's student population is slowly decreasing. At this point the school is top heavy, with most students in the sixth grade and only ten this year in the first.

37 years ago, the school was much smaller, consisting of a dozen or so students and two teachers housed in two small, old and dilapidated buildings. Slowly, though, the area's people began to understand the value of a good education, and permitted their children to attend classes at Hu Shan's two branches, at Hu Tian and at the Hot Springs. This made education convenient for all, for the longest anyone had to walk to get to school was half an hour. It wasn't long before the two branches became two independent schools, each with a good sized student body.

Small as it is, the school has everything any school might need: there are an assembly hall, a reading room, administrative offices, a health clinic, guidance office, library, and a teacher employee dormitory. And of course there are the six regular classrooms, one for each grade, and five classrooms for teaching special topics. It is completely equipped not even minutely inferior to any of the big city schools. The students, after graduating from this school, usually go to junior high schools in Peitou or Shilin, both nearby.

The soccer teams of Hu Shan, boys' and girls', are the pride of the school and community. Several times they have taken first or second place in city-wide competitions, with some of the team members actually never having seen a real soccer field before the matches.

One more benefit surrounds these fortunate students. They learn about the outdoors, their natural environment, in one of the most beautiful areas around Taipei. Principal Chi says that if all students in the city primary schools were allowed more exposure to the environment and less to the pressures of homework and testing it would be much more healthy for them, for society, and for the country. Not every student can be lucky enough to live near hot mineral springs, of course, but every area offers opportunities to give students well rounded, mental and physical education. Hopefully this small school in Taipei's surrounding mountains, with just over 100 students, can become a model for every school, large or small, in the country.

[Picture Caption]

1. Hu Shan Primary School is located in a lovely pastoral setting in the mountains. 2. Bubbly school children in their school uniforms. 3. Cherry blossoms appear every spring. 5. An overall view of the school. 4. Members of the girl's soccer team look on as one of their schoolmates shows off his "stuff".

1. Cub Scouts of the ROC practicing tying knots. 2. Students during singing and dancing class. 3.4. Students have "hands-on" opportunities in school labs.

Bubbly school children in their school uniforms.

Cherry blossoms appear every spring.

Members of the girl's soccer team look on as one of their schoolmates shows off his "stuff".

An overall view of the school.

Cub Scouts of the ROC practicing tying knots.

Students during singing and dancing class.

Students have "hands-on" opportunities in school labs.

Students have "hands-on" opportunities in school labs.