The Council of Indigenous Peoples (CIP) and the Indigenous Languages Research and Development Foundation (ILRDF)—a foundation funded by the CIP—held an administrative contract signing ceremony today (March 9) with the Kaohsiung City Government at Sing Jhong Elementary School in Taoyuan District. Minister Ljaucu·Zingrur attended in person to witness the signing, officially marking the transformation of Sing Jhong Elementary School into Taiwan’s first indigenous school, opening a new chapter in indigenous education.

The ceremony began with blessings from elders of the Bunun and Hla’alua peoples. The agreement was signed by Deputy Secretary-General Chang Chia-hsing of the Kaohsiung City Government and Chairperson Eteng Ingay of the ILRDF. In alignment with President Lai Ching-te’s policy vision of establishing an indigenous education system, the CIP has promoted the Indigenous School Pilot Program, adopting a publicly funded, privately operated model to realize indigenous educational autonomy. This approach empowers indigenous communities to design curricula, develop teaching methods, and shape campus culture, embodying the principle of self-determination.

Minister Ljaucu·Zingrur stated that indigenous schools, rooted in their communities, create highly culturally responsive and language-immersive learning environments, which can effectively enhance students’ competitiveness across broader society. He further emphasized that this transformation represents a significant milestone in indigenous education, and that both central and local governments will continue to collaborate in providing resources and support, with the goal of developing the school into a model for indigenous education worldwide.