Five Long-Established Schools in Taiwan Announce Closure! Five Schools to Shut Down in August, All Students and Staff to Transfer, Ending 70-Year History

Taiwan's demographic crisis continues to escalate, culminating in a wave of school closures set to take effect in the summer of 2026. Nanchiang Industrial Vocational High School, a renowned private institution in New Taipei City with nearly 70 years of history, has announced it will officially cease operations in August 2026 due to unsustainable rental costs and persistent enrollment challenges. Simultaneously, four public rural elementary and junior high schools in Nantou and Miaoli counties—each with student populations in single digits—have been approved for consolidation or closure. Local governments have introduced three major financial subsidies for affected students, including transportation allowances of up to NT$8,000 per month.

Nanchiang Industrial Vocational High School in New Taipei to Close in August—Four Rural Schools in Nantou and Miaoli to Consolidate

Founded in 1957, Nanchiang was once a flagship vocational school in northern Taiwan, with over 2,000 students at its peak. Initially known for its automotive repair and information technology programs, the school transitioned to a vocational industrial model in 1977. In recent years, it adapted to market trends by shifting focus to performing arts and film production, producing notable alumni such as Zhan Rong, Zhan Rui, and Dong Zai from the popular comedy group 'This Group of People,' as well as celebrities Chen Linong, Wallace Huo, and Pan Meichen.

However, declining birth rates have severely impacted enrollment, compounded by the school's long-term lease arrangement and heavy rental burden. Despite suspending all new admissions starting in the 113th academic year (2024) and actively seeking new campus sites or merger opportunities, the school failed to secure a viable path forward. With its lease expiring in 2026, the school will hold its final graduation ceremony before formally ending operations.

Student Numbers Drop to Single Digits—Four Public Rural Schools in Nantou and Miaoli to Consolidate Starting August 1

Rural depopulation and aging populations have placed public schools under existential threat. After special review, the governments of Nantou and Miaoli counties have approved the consolidation or closure of four rural schools with critically low enrollment, effective August 1, 2026:

- Ruifeng Junior High School, Nantou (6 students): to merge with Luguo Junior High School. - Ruizhu Junior High School, Nantou (9 students): to merge with Zhushan Junior High School. - Da'an Elementary School, Nantou (16 students): students to transfer to Qianshan Elementary School. - Jingshan Elementary School, Miaoli (9 students): students may freely choose to transfer to Shuanglian or Pinglin Elementary School.

Reducing Transfer Burden—County Governments Introduce Three Financial Subsidies, Guaranteeing 100% Legal Placement for Staff

To minimize disruption for affected students, Nantou and Miaoli county governments have introduced three key subsidies:

- Transportation allowance: up to NT$8,000 per month. - Transportation insurance: NT$2,000 per academic year. - Textbook and materials fee: NT$1,500 per semester.

Education officials emphasized that the government is fully committed to protecting students' right to education and has pledged '100% legal placement' for all teaching and administrative staff, ensuring their rights and benefits are safeguarded.