Lai marks Teachers' Day, highlights AI teacher training plan

Taipei, Sept. 28 (CNA) President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) marked Teachers' Day Monday by highlighting a government program to invest NT$11.755 billion (US$371.79 million) by 2029 to strengthen educators' digital and artificial intelligence (AI) skills.

In a Facebook post, Lai said teachers play an irreplaceable role in guiding students through both learning and personal growth, while acknowledging the pressures they face from teacher shortages, parent-teacher communication, student counseling and administrative workloads.

Lai said the Ministry of Education (MOE) has launched the "AI Talent Ark Program" to build teaching capabilities and AI-enabled learning environments in elementary and secondary schools.

According to a MOE report released in May, the "AI Talent Ark Program" aims to enrich digital teaching materials, develop next-generation AI learning systems, provide hands-on AI training and support for teachers, and improve education data analytics to help educators deliver more personalized instruction.

While technology can make teaching more efficient, teachers' understanding of and guidance for students remain irreplaceable, Lai said.

He pledged that the government would continue listening to educators, improve teaching conditions, and ensure teachers receive the respect and support they deserve so they can focus on teaching.

Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim (蕭美琴) also marked Teachers' Day with a Facebook post, extending holiday greetings to teachers and sharing a video featuring educators reflecting on their most rewarding moments in the profession, alongside messages of appreciation from students.