Qishan Elementary School Introduction
During the Japanese colonial period, the Taiwan Governor-General's Office issued the "Taiwan Public School Order" in 1898, stipulating that children aged eight to fourteen could enroll in public schools, marking the beginning of modern education in Taiwan. That same year, Qishan opened the sweet potato public school for Taiwanese students, which is the predecessor of Qishan Elementary School. From 1916 to 1921, as the number of students gradually increased and the school facilities became insufficient, the school began constructing a series of connected school buildings on the northeast side. The new buildings featured two floors with an arcade architecture, single-sided corridors, and a façade constructed of continuous arches, creating a rhythmic visual effect. The ground floor used rounded arches, while the second floor featured flat arches, forming an interesting contrast, and the entrance was accentuated with a rounded arch porch that had a balcony above it. In 1934, a grand auditorium was built, featuring round windows, Romanesque-style arches, and elegant pebble walls, exuding classical elegance. Strolling through the century-old campus, surrounded by flowers and ancient trees, the classic arcaded classrooms emanate a charming fragrance of books, still resonating with music today. Although the grand auditorium has weathered the years and undergone renovations, it continues to be used for various activities. While appreciating the elegantly designed ancient buildings, one also reflects on and witnesses the beginnings of modern education in Taiwan during the Japanese colonial period.
