A teacher that spends less than one-thirty fifth effort for a primary school student will inspire no confidence. Only by reducing the average head count of a class will it ensure that teachers can educate pupils effectively. In the knowledge economic era, knowledge for students, especially for pupils, has become much more complicated. Instead of memorizing existing information, the students are now largely concerned with analysis, creativity and problem solving. Teachers should, understandably enough, spend more time discussing and coaching students. Nowadays, the teachers virtually have no spare time after lecturing and reviewing students' homework. This is what needs to change if the competition of Taiwanese students is to be improved. Ideally, the average head count of a class in the elementary school should be less than twenty. The average head count in America had been lowered from twenty five to eighteen to fifteen since 2002. The average head count in Finland whose education system is an international leader in most of educational indexes is below twenty. Under such appropriate learning environment, students can have more sense of security about learning, and can fully concentrate on studying. Besides, teachers can tutor students in different ways based on students' requirements and capabilities. Meanwhile, teachers can spend more time to create a better learning atmosphere and answer students' questions thoroughly. Whatever the reasons, the fact remains that the authorities desperately need to decrease the average head count if it is to have a foothold in international hyper-competition. Even if the average head count of a class being reduced rapidly from thirty five to twenty is out of question for now, steps can be taken to get the authorities moving more quickly. First of all, we can appeal to public media for advocating and condensing the common consensus about the issue of the average head count. Next, we can ask our law makers to revise the regulation regarding the ceiling of the head count per class. Finally, we can use the pis aller, exercising the right of the referendum, to demonstrate our self-determination and to force the government to change. Such relatively modest but well-thought-out ideas are encouraging. This is, after all, not a small matter. In a competitive world, prospects, successors and talents will have to be well cultivated before Taiwanese can begin seriously to tackle the great challenges and opportunities appearing on the horizon. An improved education system is a good place to begin. --

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