Qishan Elementary School Introduction
During the Japanese colonial period, the Taiwan Governor-General Office issued the "Taiwan Public School Order" in 1898, which allowed children aged eight to fourteen to enroll in public schools, marking the beginning of modern education in Taiwan. In the same year, Qishan established the Fanshu Liao Public School for Taiwanese children, which is the precursor to Qishan Elementary School. Between 1916 and 1921, due to the increasing number of students and insufficient school facilities, the school began annually constructing contiguous classrooms on the northeastern side. The new buildings are two-story structures featuring stone arch construction, with corridors on one side and a rhythmic facade made up of continuous arches. The first floor uses round arches, while the second floor features flat arches, creating an interesting contrast. The entrance is accentuated by a round-arched porch that protrudes from the main building, topped with a balcony. In 1934, a large auditorium was built, featuring round windows, Roman-style arched windows, and elegant wash-stone walls. Strolling through the century-old campus, amidst the flowers, grass, and ancient trees, the classical contiguous classrooms exude a charming fragrance of books and continue to host musical activities to this day. Although the auditorium has undergone renovations over the years, it still serves for various events. While appreciating the beautifully refined ancient architecture, one can also reflect upon and witness the beginnings of modern education in Taiwan during the Japanese colonial period.
