The Ministry of Education (MOE) yesterday withdrew a call for high-school and college students to volunteer for the youth service corps amid pushback from legislators accusing the government of conscripting children.
The decision came a day after lawmakers questioned Minister of Education Cheng Ying-yao (鄭英耀) at the legislature over reports that students were asked to sign volunteer forms in school.
The documents’ reference to the All-out Defense Mobilization Readiness Act (全民防衛動員準備法) had sparked panic among parents worried that their children could be sent to the front lines if China invaded, they said.
Photo courtesy of National Taiwan University
The ministry said in a news release that the consent forms did not include battlefield tasks, adding that minors have been subject to the defense mobilization legislation since its promulgation in 2001.
Colleges and high schools had until last year routinely submitted student lists to relevant local authorities to enable youth service corps mobilization during a conflict or natural disaster, it said.
The practice was discontinued in favor of asking the students and parents to consent to volunteer service to protect their right to choose and private data security, the ministry said.
The decision to issue consent forms predated the recent rise in tensions with China and in no way suggests the government believes war with China is imminent, it said.
The youth service corps is not allowed to engage in activities other than evacuating civilians in emergencies, performing community or public service, and supporting government administrative policies, the ministry said.
The service program’s aim is to enable schools to protect students and help the communities around them during an emergency, it said, adding that officials would clarify the matter to ease public fears.
The consent forms have been withdrawn effective immediately as the ministry continues to implement and improve policy measures authorized by the defense mobilization law, it said.
Asked for comment, Minister of National Defense Wellington Koo (顧立雄) on the sidelines of a legislative session said that the youth service corps had no military role to perform.
The youth service corps’ training activities are intended to give students the ability to keep themselves and others safe in major disasters or other contingencies, he said.
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