Over 9.700 apply to take aboriginal dialect certification exam

This article was published by the Taiwan Headlines on January 5, 2007. It reports that according to the Ministry of Education, more than 9,700 junior high school graduates have applied to take an aboriginal dialect proficiency certification examination to be held in March 2007.

The exam will be the first of its kind in Taiwan. Those who pass the exam will have 35 percent added to their scores on any high school, college or university entrance exams they take. This policy is effective from the 2007 academic year and is aimed at encouraging aboriginal people to learn their mother tongues.

There are 12 indigenous groups in Taiwan, which are the Amis, Atayal, Bunun, Kavalan, Paiwan, Pinuyumayan, Rukai, Saisiyat, Thao, Truku, Tsou, and Yami. Each of these groups has its own dialect and distinct culture.