This paper aims to clarify the historical and institutional reasons behind the expansion of extension education in Taiwan through analysis of relevant laws, institutions, policies, and history of night schools in Taiwan. There are three main findings in this paper. First, each expansion of education policy coincides with a focus on the existing working population, allowing for broader access to extension education. Second, extension education is subject to fewer regulations than education at large in Taiwan. This deregulation of extension education affords universities more autonomy and has also contributed to the expansion of extension education in Taiwan. Third, following the lifelong education policy adopted by the Taiwanese government in 1990, a framework for recurrent education was established and integrated into extension education, bringing further empowering extension education within the administrative system. Furthermore, universities have responded to the government’s lifelong education policy by expanding programs for recurrent education. This institutional preparedness in tandem with the universities’ development strategy has been conducive to the development of extension education in Taiwan. In summary, extension education in Taiwan is not only a part of the recurrent education system, but also an important agent in the management of social needs for higher education
