103 School Principals and Directors Sworn In in Kaohsiung; Mayor Chen: Uphold Educational Mission to Meet the AI Era

The appointment and handover ceremony for new and outgoing principals and directors of senior high schools and below in Kaohsiung City for the 115th academic year was held this afternoon (31st) at the Performance Hall of the Kaohsiung Social Education Center, presided over by Mayor Chen Chi-mai. A total of 103 principals and directors received their appointment letters, and commemorative gifts were presented to 15 retiring principals in appreciation of their long-term dedication to campus education and talent development. The event called for continued collaboration to build a high-quality educational environment in the new academic year.

The 15 retiring principals were recognized, and 103 principals and directors—including 20 newly appointed, 40 transferred, and 43 continuing in their roles—were officially appointed. Mayor Chen expressed gratitude to the retiring principals and encouraged the newly appointed and transferred principals to shoulder their educational mission and lead their schools forward with professional leadership.

Mayor Chen stated that principals are the most important leaders on campus, responsible not only for school administration, curriculum development, teacher leadership, student care, campus safety, and disaster response, but also as key drivers of educational reform. He thanked principals for their long-standing support in advancing the city government’s educational policies and urged them to continue upholding their original educational mission and accompanying students’ growth.

Facing rapid advancements in artificial intelligence, technological changes, and declining birthrates, Mayor Chen noted that educational models must evolve with the times. In recent years, the city government has continuously promoted initiatives such as the 'one tablet per student' program, smart campus construction, and campus environment improvements. It has also increased the education budget, expanded subsidies for school lunches, reduced teachers’ administrative burdens, and enhanced student care quality to create a more comprehensive learning environment.

Mayor Chen emphasized that principals should leverage their leadership and coordination abilities to unite teachers, parents, and the community in jointly cultivating a new generation of talent equipped with international competitiveness and technological literacy. This will allow Kaohsiung’s education system to continue innovating and meet future challenges.

The Education Bureau reported that this academic year includes 20 newly appointed principals, 40 transferred, 43 continuing, and 15 retiring. The city government expressed congratulations through the appointment ceremony and extended gratitude to all educational partners for their years of dedication to Kaohsiung’s education. It looks forward to working together in the new academic year to enhance educational quality and build a safer, more inclusive, and forward-looking campus environment.