Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te visited the “National Disaster Prevention Day – Earthquake Evacuation and Shelter Drill for Schools and Kindergartens” today (September 21st), to understand the evacuation and care arrangements for students in emergency situations, and praised the thorough preparation and implementation of drills by school authorities and students.
This morning, President Lai Ching-te went to the Kaohsiung Municipal Kaohsiung Special Education School to oversee the “115 (2026) National Disaster Prevention Day – Earthquake Evacuation and Shelter Drill for Schools and Kindergartens.” The event was attended by government officials such as Executive Yuan Political Deputy Minister Chi Lien-cheng, Minister of the Interior Liu Shih-fang, Deputy Minister of Education Chang Liao Wan-chien, Legislators Hsu Chih-chieh, Lai Jui-lung, Kaohsiung Deputy Mayor Lee Huai-jen, and others.
President Lai Ching-te mentioned that disaster drills at special schools pose more challenges compared to regular schools, hence his visit this year to understand the evacuation and care arrangements for students in emergency situations. Upon arrival, he first received an overview of the Kaohsiung Special Education School and a briefing on disaster education, followed by overseeing earthquake evacuation drills, teachers comforting special needs students, and a mass casualty simulation exercise. In his address, he specifically praised the disaster preparedness demonstrated during the drill at the Kaohsiung Municipal Kaohsiung Special Education School.
President Lai Ching-te noted that today, September 21st, is also “National Disaster Prevention Day.” 27 years ago on September 21st, a major earthquake struck central Taiwan, resulting in significant casualties. To commemorate those who perished in the disaster and learn from it, the government designated September 21st as “National Disaster Prevention Day.”
In addition to regular drills, he mentioned that every September 21st, schools and kindergartens at all levels conduct earthquake disaster drills. Conducting drills at regular schools is already demanding, and it’s even more challenging for special schools. While he mostly visited regular schools in the past, this year he made a point to visit special schools to ensure that students receive proper care when needed. After observing the drill firsthand today, he expressed his confidence in the preparedness demonstrated.
President Lai Ching-te expressed gratitude to Principal Lu Yi-shen and all the teachers for their dedication. From the moment the alarm sounded at 9:21 am, he witnessed the swift actions of the teachers, including using chairs or other shielding measures to protect the students, as well as assisting them in moving safely from the third floor to designated safe areas on the first floor, which was quite strenuous. Moreover, the earlier casualty simulation exercise was very realistic, showcasing the principal, teachers, and students’ comprehensive preparations for the drill.
He also thanked Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chi-mai and the city government team for their emphasis on special education. The disaster drill today highlighted the care and support provided by the Kaohsiung City Government, Education Bureau, and Social Affairs Bureau towards everyone. In conclusion, the President wished everyone good health and smooth learning at school.