Imagination and creativity: wellsprings and streams of education – the Taiwan experience

Abstract

Creativity and imagination in education are increasingly emphasised around the world. However, a lack of these qualities in Chinese societies has been discussed in the academia and popular media, and attributed to various factors, standardised testing chief among them. In Taiwan, a team of scholars working with the Ministry of Education has, since the turn of the century, made special efforts to do research and promote creativity and imagination in education. This paper traces the development of policies and action plans and the implementation of creativity education and imagination in education programmes in Taiwan. Both programmes start from elementary school and go through higher education, and also include lifelong learners and administrators; they are, thus, inclusive of all levels within Taiwan’s educational system. This paper cites examples of the action plans and their effects. Finally, implications for educational policy and teaching and learning are drawn from the Taiwan experience.