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All work
and little play for Chinese kids
Friday December 03, 2010 11:07:08 AM ,
Arun Anand, IANS
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Beijing:
Yuang, the mother of an eight-year-old who studies in a public
school in the Chinese capital, says, "My daughter hardly gets time
to play. She goes for school at six in the morning and comes back
by evening. After that she has to finish loads of homework."
Parents in China have been expressing concern over the last few
years about the growing burden of studies and the pressure of
examinations, especially on school students - at the cost of
creative activities.
A recent global survey which ranks Chinese students at the bottom
when it comes to applying "creativity" and "imagination" is all
set to refuel the debate on the Chinese school education system.
For instance, on weekends, Yuang's daughter learns piano and takes
private coaching for mathematics and English. "If she gets time
after that, which is rare, then she may play for a couple of
hours," said Yuang.
The scenario is repeated for student after student in state-funded
public schools, with children right from the elementary level
being pushed by parents and institutions to prepare them for a
fiercely competitive global scenario.
"If she doesn't study hard and stops taking extra classes, how
would she do well in high school? And she may not easily get
admission in a good Chinese university. How will she face the
growing competition?" Yuang says explaining why her daughter takes
private coaching classes even during weekends.
The survey covering 21 countries was conducted by the
International Educational Progress Evaluation Organization. It
said Chinese students excelled in subjects like mathematics. But
when it came to "creativity", they were fifth from the bottom.
They were tied for the last place when it came to using their
imagination.
Students say they do feel very pressured.
"When I was studying, I was always bogged down by assignments
which took my time even when I used to return home after attending
school," said a Peking University student on condition of
anonymity.
Indicating the sense of urgency that seems to have gripped Chinese
society in tackling this issue which figures quite prominently in
private conversations among parents of school students, state-run
English newspaper China Daily recently expressed serious concern
in an editorial over the anomalies in the Chinese school education
system.
Commenting on the findings of the global survey, the daily said,
"That our students rarely get the chance to use their imagination
was an open secret among Chinese people. Now, a global survey has
brought it to the notice of the rest of the world".
"The survey results are not shocking, given the way our children
are taught in schools and at home...Right from the day they enter
school they are pushed into a culture of exams and more
exams...And to pass those exams, they are made to learn by rote
standard answers," it further commented.
(Arun Anand can
be contacted at arun.anand@ians.in)
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