December 28, 2008
Reported by Chiou Kuo-rong
Written by Lydia Ma

According to a report on students from low income families conducted by Taiwan Fund for Children and Families, students from poorer families do not perform as well as students from average or rich families. This report revealed that 14.8% of students from poor families score less than other students in their report cards. Furthermore, once they reach ninth grade, 48.5% of regular students score in the upper tier compared to only 17% of students from poorer families. The data gathered by the report shows that school performance among students from poor families become progressively worse as they become older and the grade gap between them and other students widens progressively as well.

According to statistical data from the Ministry of Interior, there are currently 90,846 low-income families in Taiwan, which is also the highest number of low-income families in over ten years. The newest surveys conducted by social organizations such as Taiwan Fund for Children and Families and Chinatrust Charity Foundation also reveal that more and more students from poor income families are lagging behind in educational resources, educational performance, and self-realization mainly due to their family's financial circumstances. The surveys reveal that about 16% of families spend about $10,000 NTD per month on their children's education. However, this figure is nearly a low-income family's entire income for the month. This finding highlights the plight of poor income families and the challenges they face in providing for their children's education.

Surveys from social organizations also reveal that 59.8% of low-income families do not invest any additional money on their children's education (such as paying for their children to attend cram school). Furthermore, 57.7% of these families only let their children attend low-cost cram classes offered at local schools because these classes are included in the annual fees students must pay to the school. This trend shows that low income families can only afford cheaper classes offered by schools.

In the survey conducted by Taiwan Fund for Children and Families, 27.6% of families seeking the organization's help earn less than $10,000 NTD (equivalent of $300 USD) per month and 70% of families earn less than $20,000. The average family has about 3.4 people. Very little money is left to invest in children's education after basic living expenses for the entire family are accounted for.

When it comes to educational goals for the future, the survey found that students from low-income families have similar aspirations as their classmates. However, their family's financial limitations prevent them from realizing their dreams. Most students from poor families only reach senior high school as they cannot afford to study further. The survey found that 63.8% of these students felt they could not pursue higher education because their family could not afford it. In contrast, most students from average income families felt that their poor academic performance was preventing them from advancing to college.

Executive Director of Taiwan Fund for Children and Families Wang Ming-ren says that, as of September 2008, the number of families and people that the organization is helping have reached a record high since the organization was founded 58 years ago. There are currently 42,000 applicants and these numbers show that many poor children need our help. Wang sincerely thanked all the donors who were supporting the organization in helping children get the education they need and saving them from a future of living in poverty.

"Mrs. Shie" was one of the recipients helped by Taiwan Fund for Children and Families. Through the organization's help, she was able to escape poverty and support herself financially. This woman is joining the organization's newest project by helping women from poor-incomefamilies open a small food store. Proceed from sales at the store will go toward the organization's special scholarships for elementary school students. After the help she received, she would now like to give back to the community whenever she can through practical means. Mrs. Shie encourages women to step out of their homes and build their self-confidence. She says that seeing the smile on the faces of mothers and children as they work together is very rewarding.

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