Laosung Primary School is one of the oldest primary schools in Taiwan and also the largest primary school in the world. The name means "old pine tree." It was founded in May of 1896, more than 80 years ago. Its alumni include such well-known personalities as Vice Premier Hsu Ching-chung; Vice President of Control Yuan Chou Pai-lien; former Supreme Court justice and now a member of Control Yuan Tsai Chang-lin; a member of National Assembly, Chen Pao-chuan, and a member of the Legislative Yuan, Tsai Wan-tsai. Other alumni are among the leaders of the industrial and business world. In 1963, Laosung Primary School's student body reached the record high of 11,101. Since 1969 the number has been reduced as part of the 9-year-free-education program.
Laosung Primary School has neat, clean classrooms, and a large athletic field. Its quiet, beautiful campus is an ideal place to study. Its achievements are credited in large part to several former principals who had labored diligently. Praise goes to former principal Chang Kuo-shui, who worked in the field of education for 48 years. While serving as the principal of Laosung for eight years, he enabled the school to make great strides. After his retirement in February of 1976, Chang continued to contribute his efforts to kindergarten education. He was publicly commended by Premier Chiang Ching-kuo on March 15. The present principal of Laosung Primary School, Chien Sheng-ching, also is a long-time educator. Under the principle that "good teachers can help revive the nation," Chien has worked jointly with faculty members to fill the campus with liveliness and vitality. Chien often reminds the students to study hard, to keep their bodies fit and strong and to be sincere in any work they do. Be a good student of Laosung now, and you will be a useful and proud Chinese after you are grown up, Chien tells his students.
The Primary school education in the Republic of China emphasizes balanced development of moral, intellectual, physical and teamwork education. Laosung Primary School is no exception. However, it is outstanding in its extracurricular activities. Its team won the inter-school volly-ball championship several times in the past. Laosung students are keenly interested in the study of abacus reckoning. And their level is high. They often have won prizes in abacus competition. As its name indicates, Laosung Primary School today is like an "old pine tree" of 80 years' standing. It has quietly brought forth thousands upon thousands of "cones." They spread into every corner of society, becoming a main force in their chosen fields and serving large numbers of people.

Teacher in science classroom.

At the school's athletic meet.

Natural science experiments.

Marching band formation of ROC's national emblem.

A course in abacus calculation.