2009-02-20
* 中國時報
* 賀陳弘
一個明星高中學生，經由轉入私校而獲得一六六萬元。在這個蕭條的寒冬裡，格外令人感觸。當家計困難的時候，人們或許變賣財產，典當物品，走投無路的甚至賣血。未曾想像過的是，學籍也可以換錢。當事人出於許多無奈，社會多能理解，不應指指點點。然而跳脫個案，可以確信這個「市場」是存在的。
值得注意的是，這筆錢並不能看做獎學金。因為如果一個明星高中學生，留在原校，努力以赴，成績優異，並不會獲得這個數字的獎學金。唯有當這個學生「飛入尋常百姓家」，這個轉換才值得高價。轉學生依原先所擁有的學籍之名氣不同，而擁有了不同的身價。是誰塑造了這些學籍的價格？
由於國中生進入高中職是採行競試比較的方式，將畢業生依成績篩選分級，送入不同的高中職，梯次井然有序，如同篩選物品一般，不同的等級得到不同的價格。在這場競試裡，畢業生被賦予不同的身價。人為的操作，創造出明星高中學生轉學的價格市場。這是不是教育的正常現象？
目前高中職每年招生大約二十五萬人，已可容納今後所有想要唸高中職的國中畢業生，是否還有必要進行全面篩選分級？對於一個十六歲的孩子，終究都是要接受至少十二年學校教育，這樣做的意義在那裡？
另一方面，這項大規模人為操作所消耗的國力十分可觀。由於國中畢業生必須依測驗評比成績競爭進入高中職，造成在正常學習以外，以升學為目的超量學習，包括校內輔導與校外補習。台灣國中生的課業學習時間，超過大多數先進國家百分之十五至三十。若以一年次的學生約卅萬，國民平均生產毛額以一萬美元計算，則全國國中三年的額外國力耗費，約十五至卅億美元，或新台幣五百至一千億元，與政府在國中教育的總投資相當！
全台灣各級學校教育的投資仍然遠不如先進國家，但竟以每年超出先進國家五百至一千億元的國力，投資於國中進入高中職的競爭！這種作為是否效益太低？而從教育現場來觀察，學生為了升學強讀硬考，其長期影響更令人深以為憂。
首先是學生生理逼到極限之後的生命萎縮現象。許多國中生的周記寫著（也是家長們所體驗的），一周中最快樂可記的事，莫過於「周末可以大睡一覺」，而不是一樁生活或學習的成長經歷。每天長達十二小時的讀書考試，佐以路途奔波，睡眠不足，日復一日；上課瞌睡與周末補眠，是生物的集體自保行為；學生進而自殘、自暴自棄也已經屢見不鮮。
其次，大學與高中教育的評價反而日漸低落。高中教師認為新生程度越來越差，很多高中開始施行超過法規的輔導課，甚至在新生報到的暑假就上四至六周的輔導課。好不容易上了大學，教授則認為新鮮人只圖逸樂功利（不考試就不讀書、無心向學、蹺課作弊）。一般離開學校進入社會的成年人，極少願讀一本與職業無關的好書。
這些問題的共同癥結，都是在求學階段缺乏良好的「讀書」經驗。一旦達到了升學的目的，就「為什麼還要讀書」？目前高中職的招生方式，傾向於篩選長於被動學習的學生；可是過量熟讀勤考的結果，又使這些學生更失去自主學習的動力，學習的表現日劣，造成目前大學與高中的共同後遺症。
這種升學方式對於經濟發展的影響也極可觀。由於學生在求學中未能獲得追求知識的真實感動與信服，未來的知識經濟產業，便很難找到充足的創造知識的人力，前景將是有限的。如果升學方式未能隨著產業典範轉型，將種下經濟失敗之因。
從一個明星高中學生的身價，盼望十二年國教的曙光。
（作者為清華大學動力機械工程學系教授，教育部升學制度審議委員會委員）
2009年2月21日 星期六
2008年12月31日 星期三
The End of 2008
隨著2008的結束，2009年也隨之到來。
回首2008年，一個不知道如何形容的年度，卻也充滿辛酸歡樂。
Cast - Mairi Campbell & Dave Fran
2008年上半年，過得渾渾惡惡的，時光多半停留在'07暑假待在美國的美好時光，直數落台灣的不是，卻沒有看到台灣的文化、美麗、創新與活力，沒有想過如何能夠讓台灣變得更美好。
那時不知道為何會對一個人充滿憎惡，現在想想，自己真是很傻，傻在幹麼自己一個人賭氣，別人生活好端端的，而賭氣、憎惡只是讓自己傷神而已。
2008下半年，參加了營隊，去了一趟西安，認識了不少朋友，打開了眼界，和高中最棒的朋友相聚，2008年暑假就這樣的過去了。
大三回歸到緊湊、忙碌又routine的生活，去成大修了一門以英文授課的美國政府與政治，變成每週來回高雄與台南的通勤族；持續在教務處打工；週末則上英文課。平常沒事則就宅在家中，反而不像從前到處走走，亦缺乏了運動。
在支出增加、基金失利後，變得精打細算，卻被同學說你真是夠了。但是卻完成了一年讀完50本書的目標。
2008年結束了，一個多災多難的一年(我指國際社會，但是在自己身上卻何嘗不也適用)。
翁山蘇姬在一次演講中談到，緬甸有四種腐敗：
第一種，貪婪的腐敗：人因過度追求自己的欲望而不惜出賣自己。
第二種，偏狹的腐敗：人不見容跟自己意見不同的人。
第三種，愚昧的腐敗：因無知而引起的腐敗。
第四種，恐懼的腐敗：此腐敗讓人不僅恐懼，更因此逐漸喪失、抑制自己對是非、善惡的正覺。
她說的四種腐敗是指緬甸的政治社會，但是在我看來對我在2008年下了一個註腳，檢視自己，我除了第四種貪婪沒有以外，前三種在2008的我身上都發生過。
2009到來，除了已經計畫好的寒假活動外，避免上述的貪婪，好好思考自己未來的道路都是我對自己的期許。
彼得‧杜拉克在《My Personal History》提到，持續學習的必要性，設定出3年的長期學習計畫和短期3個月的學習計畫是目前我所要做的目標。
避免自己亂花錢的衝動，做好時間管理，對人寬容，常與朋友聯繫等等，是2009年我對自己的新年期許與目標。
回首2008年，一個不知道如何形容的年度，卻也充滿辛酸歡樂。
Cast - Mairi Campbell & Dave Fran
2008年上半年，過得渾渾惡惡的，時光多半停留在'07暑假待在美國的美好時光，直數落台灣的不是，卻沒有看到台灣的文化、美麗、創新與活力，沒有想過如何能夠讓台灣變得更美好。
那時不知道為何會對一個人充滿憎惡，現在想想，自己真是很傻，傻在幹麼自己一個人賭氣，別人生活好端端的，而賭氣、憎惡只是讓自己傷神而已。
2008下半年，參加了營隊，去了一趟西安，認識了不少朋友，打開了眼界，和高中最棒的朋友相聚，2008年暑假就這樣的過去了。
大三回歸到緊湊、忙碌又routine的生活，去成大修了一門以英文授課的美國政府與政治，變成每週來回高雄與台南的通勤族；持續在教務處打工；週末則上英文課。平常沒事則就宅在家中，反而不像從前到處走走，亦缺乏了運動。
在支出增加、基金失利後，變得精打細算，卻被同學說你真是夠了。但是卻完成了一年讀完50本書的目標。
2008年結束了，一個多災多難的一年(我指國際社會，但是在自己身上卻何嘗不也適用)。
翁山蘇姬在一次演講中談到，緬甸有四種腐敗：
第一種，貪婪的腐敗：人因過度追求自己的欲望而不惜出賣自己。
第二種，偏狹的腐敗：人不見容跟自己意見不同的人。
第三種，愚昧的腐敗：因無知而引起的腐敗。
第四種，恐懼的腐敗：此腐敗讓人不僅恐懼，更因此逐漸喪失、抑制自己對是非、善惡的正覺。
她說的四種腐敗是指緬甸的政治社會，但是在我看來對我在2008年下了一個註腳，檢視自己，我除了第四種貪婪沒有以外，前三種在2008的我身上都發生過。
2009到來，除了已經計畫好的寒假活動外，避免上述的貪婪，好好思考自己未來的道路都是我對自己的期許。
彼得‧杜拉克在《My Personal History》提到，持續學習的必要性，設定出3年的長期學習計畫和短期3個月的學習計畫是目前我所要做的目標。
避免自己亂花錢的衝動，做好時間管理，對人寬容，常與朋友聯繫等等，是2009年我對自己的新年期許與目標。
2008年12月26日 星期五
2008年12月17日 星期三
Ponzi scheme
「龐茲騙局」（Ponzi Scheme）是一種古老的投資騙局，形式類似層壓式推銷。
1920年，意大利移民龐茲（Charles Ponzi）在美國設計了一宗全國聞名的騙局，透過一家空殼公司，做國際郵政聯會發行的郵政票券（Postal coupons）買賣，聲稱由於歐洲貨幣兌美元貶值，他能以低價購進郵政票券，然後在美國換取美國郵票圖利。
為了吸引人投資，他開出45天存款利率高達50％的「優厚」條件，但事實上他只是利用第二批投資者的本金，撥作首批投資者的利息收入。
不少人不虞有詐，短短1年多，龐茲一共吸引了數以萬計投資者，「吸水」800萬美元，但手上其實只有值61美元的美國郵票。東窗事發後，龐茲以詐騙罪被判刑。
WASHINGTON (CNN)
The government commission tasked with protecting investors has launched an internal probe into why, despite credible allegations for at least 10 years, there were "multiple failures" in investigating what may have been the largest Ponzi scheme in history.
The order, by U.S. District Court Judge for the Southern District of New York Louis Standon, said customers of Bernard Madoff Investment Securities are "in need of protection" under federal securities law.
1920年，意大利移民龐茲（Charles Ponzi）在美國設計了一宗全國聞名的騙局，透過一家空殼公司，做國際郵政聯會發行的郵政票券（Postal coupons）買賣，聲稱由於歐洲貨幣兌美元貶值，他能以低價購進郵政票券，然後在美國換取美國郵票圖利。
為了吸引人投資，他開出45天存款利率高達50％的「優厚」條件，但事實上他只是利用第二批投資者的本金，撥作首批投資者的利息收入。
不少人不虞有詐，短短1年多，龐茲一共吸引了數以萬計投資者，「吸水」800萬美元，但手上其實只有值61美元的美國郵票。東窗事發後，龐茲以詐騙罪被判刑。
SEC investigating 'multiple failures' in Madoff fraud case
WASHINGTON (CNN)
The government commission tasked with protecting investors has launched an internal probe into why, despite credible allegations for at least 10 years, there were "multiple failures" in investigating what may have been the largest Ponzi scheme in history.
The federal Securities and Exchange Commission said Tuesday that allegations against Bernard Madoff and his securities firm had "repeatedly" been brought to the attention of SEC staff as early as 1999 but were not recommended to the commission for action.
"I am gravely concerned by the apparent multiple failures over at least a decade to thoroughly investigate these allegations or at any point to seek formal authority to pursue them," said commission Chairman Christopher Cox in a written statement.
Federal prosecutors have charged Madoff with securities fraud that could result in huge losses to financial firms worldwide, charities and individual investors.
The alleged $50 billion Ponzi scheme operated by Madoff from his investment advisory business may have cost some of the largest financial firms in the world hundreds of millions of dollars apiece.
A federal judge on Monday issued an order that may help investors swindled by the scheme to recover some of their money.The order, by U.S. District Court Judge for the Southern District of New York Louis Standon, said customers of Bernard Madoff Investment Securities are "in need of protection" under federal securities law.
Cox said he had directed a "full and immediate" review into the past allegations made against Madoff and his firm and into why staff members did not act on them.
The investigation also should include any contacts SEC staffers may have had with the Madoff family and firm and what effect, if any, those relationships may have had on staff decisions.
Cox said that, since the commission initiated emergency action against Madoff and his firm on Thursday, "every necessary resource at the SEC has been dedicated to pursuing the investigation, protecting customer assets and holding both Mr. Madoff and others who may have been involved accountable.""Although the information I can share regarding an ongoing investigation is limited, progress to date indicates that Mr. Madoff kept several sets of books and false documents, and provided false information involving his advisory activities to investors and to regulators," he said.
Madoff made an initial court appearance last week and was freed on $10 million bond.2008年12月11日 星期四
Taiwan is in danger of losing independent Public Television Services
2008 / 12 / 10
The Kuomintang (KMT) legislative caucus proposed new legislative measures on Tuesday (Dec. 9) that, if enacted, would violate the widely embraced principle of government and military non-interference in the Fourth Estate and deprive Public Television Services and its member channels, Taiwan Indigenous Television, Taiwan Hakka Television and Taiwan Macroview Television of their independence.
If the proposed legislation is passed, the above four public television channels would require prior item-by-item governmental approval for all budgetary dispersals. The KMT party holds an over three-quarters majority in the legislature. President Ma Ying-Jeou is a member and former KMT party chairman.
Public Television Services Foundation issued an emergency public statement on Tuesday evening critical of the proposed measures. In the statement, the foundation appeals to the public to support the independence of Public Television and uphold Taiwan’s democratic values.
↓The official statement by the PTS
Taiwan Public Television Service (PTS) was founded in the spirit of the Public Television Act to strengthen the development of public television broadcasting in Taiwan. PTS’s core mission is to establish a public broadcasting system in service of the public interest, maintain independent and autonomous media operation, and defend freedom of speech and the public’s right to know where the corporate media is unable to deliver.
However, at a time when PTS should be celebrating its 10th anniversary, US$14 million – half of the legally appropriated annual budget of US$28 million – has been frozen by the Legislative Yuan for nearly one year. During this time, PTS has made every effort to communicate with the Legislative Yuan through official channels and appealed for assistance from the Government Information Office (GIO).
PTS has further demonstrated ample good faith through the submission of assorted operational plans and performance reports in the effort to justify the resumption of its budget. However, not only have these actions failed to elicit a direct response from the GIO, neither has the Legislative Yuan offered a clear rationale for the continued budget freeze. Similarly, the GIO has also failed to respond to PTS’s request for assistance in retaining the suspended US$14 million budget.
The budget suspension has had a dire impact upon PTS, hampering daily operation, program production, and the payment of fees to commissioned production houses and partners. On December 9, 2008, we were shocked to learn that the Education and Culture Committee and Internal Affairs Committee of the Legislative Yuan have each passed the proposition to impose the resolution on Public Television. The proposal states that Public Television Service (PTS), Taiwan Indigenous TV (TITV), Hakka TV, and Macroview TV can only disburse programming and production budgets upon prior item-by-item government approval. The resolution even contains the further provisions that would empower the Council of Indigenous Peoples, Council for Hakka Affairs, and Overseas Compatriot Affairs Commission to exercise censorship and oversight over the programming policy and daily operation of their respective subordinate media agencies.
The proposed legislation seriously violates the social consensus for all political parties to withdraw from media operation. Further, it seriously threatens the independence of public media and violates the intent of The Statute of Disposition of Government-owned Shares in Terrestrial TV Industry. If passed, it would signify the undoing of hard-won freedom of the media and democratic progress in Taiwan.
PTS operates in strict accordance with the legal responsibilities accorded in the Public TV Act. Over the course of its history PTS has never transgressed its designated role and has always respected criticism and suggestions from the legislature and society. However, we will never accept unjustified interference in our independence, and will take whatever steps necessary to protect the freedom of public media and the core democratic values that the people of Taiwan have cultivated at great cost.
PTS website
The Kuomintang (KMT) legislative caucus proposed new legislative measures on Tuesday (Dec. 9) that, if enacted, would violate the widely embraced principle of government and military non-interference in the Fourth Estate and deprive Public Television Services and its member channels, Taiwan Indigenous Television, Taiwan Hakka Television and Taiwan Macroview Television of their independence.
If the proposed legislation is passed, the above four public television channels would require prior item-by-item governmental approval for all budgetary dispersals. The KMT party holds an over three-quarters majority in the legislature. President Ma Ying-Jeou is a member and former KMT party chairman.
Public Television Services Foundation issued an emergency public statement on Tuesday evening critical of the proposed measures. In the statement, the foundation appeals to the public to support the independence of Public Television and uphold Taiwan’s democratic values.
↓The official statement by the PTS
財團法人公共電視文化事業基金會聲明
Public Television Service Foundation Statement
Public Television Service Foundation Statement
Taiwan Public Television Service (PTS) was founded in the spirit of the Public Television Act to strengthen the development of public television broadcasting in Taiwan. PTS’s core mission is to establish a public broadcasting system in service of the public interest, maintain independent and autonomous media operation, and defend freedom of speech and the public’s right to know where the corporate media is unable to deliver.
However, at a time when PTS should be celebrating its 10th anniversary, US$14 million – half of the legally appropriated annual budget of US$28 million – has been frozen by the Legislative Yuan for nearly one year. During this time, PTS has made every effort to communicate with the Legislative Yuan through official channels and appealed for assistance from the Government Information Office (GIO).
PTS has further demonstrated ample good faith through the submission of assorted operational plans and performance reports in the effort to justify the resumption of its budget. However, not only have these actions failed to elicit a direct response from the GIO, neither has the Legislative Yuan offered a clear rationale for the continued budget freeze. Similarly, the GIO has also failed to respond to PTS’s request for assistance in retaining the suspended US$14 million budget.
The budget suspension has had a dire impact upon PTS, hampering daily operation, program production, and the payment of fees to commissioned production houses and partners. On December 9, 2008, we were shocked to learn that the Education and Culture Committee and Internal Affairs Committee of the Legislative Yuan have each passed the proposition to impose the resolution on Public Television. The proposal states that Public Television Service (PTS), Taiwan Indigenous TV (TITV), Hakka TV, and Macroview TV can only disburse programming and production budgets upon prior item-by-item government approval. The resolution even contains the further provisions that would empower the Council of Indigenous Peoples, Council for Hakka Affairs, and Overseas Compatriot Affairs Commission to exercise censorship and oversight over the programming policy and daily operation of their respective subordinate media agencies.
The proposed legislation seriously violates the social consensus for all political parties to withdraw from media operation. Further, it seriously threatens the independence of public media and violates the intent of The Statute of Disposition of Government-owned Shares in Terrestrial TV Industry. If passed, it would signify the undoing of hard-won freedom of the media and democratic progress in Taiwan.
PTS operates in strict accordance with the legal responsibilities accorded in the Public TV Act. Over the course of its history PTS has never transgressed its designated role and has always respected criticism and suggestions from the legislature and society. However, we will never accept unjustified interference in our independence, and will take whatever steps necessary to protect the freedom of public media and the core democratic values that the people of Taiwan have cultivated at great cost.
PTS website
財團法人公共電視文化事業基金會聲明
公共電視之設立，乃依循公共電視法所追求之精神，「為健全台灣公共電視發展，建立公眾服務之大眾傳播制度，維護媒體獨立自主經營，並藉以彌補商業電視之不足，維護國民表達自由及知之權利為核心宗旨」。
如今，在公共電視創台十週年之際，九十七年度法定編列捐贈預算九億元，自去年十二月中遭立法院凍結四億五仟萬元，迄今已長達十二個月仍未撥付。期間公共電 視透過正常程序不斷向立法院溝通、向新聞局求援，一切努力，從未間斷；同時更已盡最大努力，配合立法院之需求提供一切管理營運計畫與績效報告，以爭取年度 法定預算之解凍，但至今不僅仍未獲得立法院正面之回應，立法院亦未明確告知不解凍之理由。對於主管機關新聞局，公共電視在十一月中亦去函要求協助對仍遭凍 結的四億五仟萬元預算申請年度保留，但迄今，同樣未獲新聞局正式回覆。
值此年終歲末之際，公共電視依法應編列捐贈之預算仍有四億五仟萬元遭凍結，已嚴重影響公共電視日常營運週轉、節目製播，以及廠商往來付款之正常運作。昨 （12/09）日更驚見立法院教育文化委員會與內政委員會分別通過對公共電視台、原住民族電視台、客家電視台、宏觀電視台之九十八年度預算執行施以附加決 議，要求各台於執行明年度預算時須逐項報請主管機關核可同意始能動支，更明文要求原住民族委員會、客家委員會、僑務委員會等機關要對所主管之電視台執行節 目製播、審核、監督之責。
對此立法院所作出之主決議事項，已嚴重破壞黨政軍退出媒體之社會共識，更已嚴重侵害媒體獨立自主之精神，違反公共電視之創立價值與無線電視事業公股處理條例之立法目的，更是開台灣媒體自由與民主發展之倒車。
公共電視一切營運乃根據公視法所賦予的法定責任，從未逾越，並尊重立法院與全體公民對公共電視之批評與指教，但絕不接受任 何可能破壞媒體獨立自主，損害公共媒體價值之不當干預。公共電視更將盡一切力量捍衛媒體自由與台灣得來不易的民主價值，為全國人民保存一塊媒體淨土，並籲 請所有珍惜民主價值的國人同胞共同支持。
財團法人公共電視文化事業基金會
董事長 鄭同僚
總經理 馮賢賢
執行副總 鍾裕淵
副總經理 林惠英
副總經理 郭至楨
一級主管 徐秋華．丁曉菁．何國華．林樂群‧吳忠山
張貞璞．楊家富．吳昌融．李桂芝．賴文惠
中華民國九十七年十二月十日
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