Qishan Elementary School Introduction
During the Japanese colonial period, the Taiwan Governor-General issued the "Taiwan Public School Order" in 1898, which stipulated that children aged eight to fourteen could enroll in public schools, marking the beginning of modern education in Taiwan. That same year, Qishan established the Fenshu Liao Public School for Taiwanese children, which is the predecessor of Qishan Elementary School. Between 1916 and 1921, due to the increasing number of students and insufficient classroom space, the school began to construct connected buildings on the northeast side year by year. The new school buildings featured two stories with stone arches on the exterior, single-side corridors, and a rhythmic façade composed of continuous arches. The first floor used round arches, while the second floor featured flat arches, creating an interesting contrast, with an entrance prominently highlighted by a round arch porch above which there was a balcony. In 1934, a grand auditorium was built, characterized by circular windows and Roman-style arched windows, with elegantly classical pebbled walls. Strolling through the century-old campus, surrounded by flowers and ancient trees, the classical arched classrooms exude a charming literary fragrance. Even today, the grand auditorium, despite the passage of time, remains a venue for various events after renovation. While admiring the beautifully refined ancient buildings, we also reflect on and witness the beginnings of modern education in Taiwan during the Japanese occupation.
