The Taiwan Central Government has said it will grant Seventh-day Adventist students exemptions from exams scheduled on Saturdays, the day the students keep as Sabbath. Local Adventist officials say the January 23 decision represents a breakthrough for Adventist students, who have faced 50 years of conflict on this issue.

Last year, 26 Adventist students chose not to take university exams on Sabbath, an action that was noted by local authorities. After pressing the issue, Adventist school administrators were granted a hearing with members of the Taiwanese government’s Ministry of Education.

Present at last month’s hearing were 30 government officials, along with Dr. Paul Cho, Taiwan Adventist College board chair, Dr. Alice Magarang, college president, and Dr. Bob Folkenberg Jr., president of the Taiwan Adventist Mission. The Adventist delegation was given 15 minutes to present its case, and the next day received notice that the Ministry of Education would grant Adventist students exemptions from Saturday exams.