Taipei, June 16 (CNA) A total of 233,000 seniors attended courses at 724 senior learning centers around Taiwan in 2016, 66.8 percent of whom were women, according to statistics released by the government on Friday.
In 2016, there were 724 senior learning centers in Taiwan, an increase of 227 on 2015, the Directorate General of Budget, Accounting and Statistics (DGBAS) said, citing statistics from the Ministry of Health and Welfare.
Those learning centers offered 6,691 classes, which were attended by 233,000 seniors, an 18.8 percent increase on the previous year, the DGBAS said.
Among those who took classes in 2016, women accounted for 66.8 percent, it added.
Learning centers provide classes on painting, calligraphy, singing, photography, handicraft art, foreign languages, as well as computer and smartphone use.
In addition, the 4,807 welfare service centers for seniors in Taiwan held activities that recorded cumulative attendance of 17.154 million in 2016, up 10.9 percent from the previous year.
The DGBAS said that regular social participation is beneficial for the wellbeing of seniors and urged them to attend classes at learning centers and take part in activities held by welfare service centers.
