For elementary and high school students in Taipei, the upcoming winter vacation has just got longer. New Taipei City Mayor Eric Chu announced on Monday that the start date for the next semester will be postponed by three days to the 14th of February. And Taipei city government soon decided to follow suit for the convenience of the students' families.

New Taipei City mayor Eric Chu decided to postpone the beginning day of the new semester for elementary and middle school to February 14th.

This decision has created ripple effects.

Taipei City mayor Hau Long-bin also decided to follow suits.

The winter vacation this year begins on January 20th and lasts 21 days through February 10th.

Ministry of Education originally planned to begin the new semester on Friday, February 11th. But many parents say this makes their lives more difficult as students just go to school for one day and have two days off immediately.

Therefore, both New Taipei City and Taipei City decide to appease public opinion and have one-day make-up class on February 19th.

Northern Taiwan cities such as Taoyuan, Keelung and even Ilan may also make similar decisions, with Kaohsiung City saying it would make the final call on January 6th.

Ministry of Education says it will invite representatives from counties and cities to have a meeting to reach a consensual decision.