Taiwan enjoys one of the world's highest literacy rates because of its emphasis on education. In 1997 about 93% of people ages six or older were estimated to be literate. All children receive nine years of free and compulsory education provided at government expense, including six years in public primary school and three years in junior high. Salaries of the teaching staff are paid by local governments. While textbooks and tuition are free, children must buy their own notebooks and pencils. In 1968 the curriculum was revised with more emphasis on science, while maintaining the Chinese cultural tradition. In order to attend high school, students must pass an examination after junior high. After completing nine years of compulsory schooling, approximately 90.7% of students in the latter half of the 1990s continued their studies at a senior high or vocational school. Agriculture, engineering, commerce, maritime navigation, home economics, and nursing are some of the skills taught in vocational schools, which offer three-year programs.
As of 1997, Taiwan had over 100 institutions of higher education. More than 100,000 students take the joint college entrance exam each year. Approximately 61.9% of the candidates are admitted to a college or university. The government relaxed many restrictions which prevented students from studying abroad in the 1980s. Although Taiwan has a highly developed college curriculum, many students do travel abroad to study. Taiwanese college and graduate students are particularly interested in engineering, computer science, natural science, and business management. In the latter half of the 1990s, about 13,000 students annually pursued graduate study in the United States.