A Professor from Beijing University

Today a professor from Beijing University came to our school on a research project.

At the preparatory meeting with the head-teachers of each class, the professor told us some theories on education, especially between the relation of the school and the parents of the students. Some of the theories are useful.

He said that most of the parents are well aware of the policies and laws of the present day. And they are always ready and at alert to accuse the school of anything unfavorable with their parents in their eyes. For example, if their kids make mistakes and are punished, they will directly protest that their kids have been misused. If their kids are doing well at school, they will say that their kids are clever. If things are on the other side, they will claim that the school should be put to blame for malpractice.

He also said that the economic development of a region is not in harmony with the development of the education. Some economically prosperous areas such as Guangdong and Shanghai, the parents are not as keen on education as those who live in back-developed areas. Their aims are mainly on providing good housing and living conditions for the students. Under such conditions the students are too much pampered and irresponsible and a lot of other problems have ensued.

The third thing he talked on is about a misinterpretation of the parents. They often think education of their kids is something the school should do and therefore they have nothing to do with it. This lack of family education or a proper cooperation from the parents has made the children difficult to teach.

The fourth thing he touched upon is about the heavy pressure the parents put on their kids. I have written an article on it too. Many of the parents think that they should achieve more in their life however they have either missed or lost. There is nothing wrong for them to think so. Nevertheless, they have a high desire to make their kids to have their dreams come true. As a result, a lot of the kids are forced to learn to play the piano, to learn drawing and even calligraphy, or other thing as well as all the subjects at school.

What he centered upon are all things relevant to our work. We are all very glad to attend to such a meeting. I only wish he could successfully persuade the parents of our students a little at the following parents’ meeting.