Public schools: Give us a chance!
Print Edition
PARENTS have long clamored to get their children into private schools that they consider superior to the public education system, but now public schools are fighting back.
For the first time, schools in the Minhang District recently held an “open campus day,” inviting parents and their children to meet the faculty, inspect the facilities and discuss curriculum and teaching concepts. The message was: We are improving all the time and have a lot to offer that you may not know about.
Pujiang No. 1 High School was among those hosting “open day” activities. The catchment school for students from Pujiang No. 1 and Shibo elementary schools staged a simulated class for parents to watch.
In a math class, the teacher taught the children arithmetic through poker games. The pupils squealed with delight.
Chinese teachers showed an innovative concept in communications with the students. One homework assignment was to write a diary. The pupils were required to write only seven lines a day and the teacher wrote detailed comments after that.
“We have very dedicated teachers who want to cultivate the best in every student according to their personalities and strong points,” said Hong Yaowei, an official with the school.
One parent, who only identified himself only by the surname Li, said he had gotten the impression from online comments that the high school was a bit mediocre. The “open day” changed his opinion.
“For one thing, teachers and students alike look very positive and cheerful here,” said Li. “That is an important state of mind for education to flourish.”
Shanghai education officials have been trying to moderate the obsession most parents have with private schools, which leads them to push children into multiple extracurricular cram courses. Officials say the compulsive drive for academic success places too much stress on children and deprives them of other experiences critical to balanced growth.
Traditionally popular public schools used the “open day” to reinforce their popularity. More than 5,000 students and parents attended the event at Wenlai Junior High School, which is considered one of the best in Shanghai. To control visitor numbers, only one parent was permitted to enter with each student.
The school didn’t emphasize its excellent track record in preparing students for senior high school entry examinations, but it did demonstrate its emphasis on enriching the lives of students to prepare them for what lay ahead.
“We have more than 120 optional courses, covering social and natural sciences, and students can choose four to six courses every semester,” said Bai Bin, headmaster of the school. “We also have more than 30 school societies and 10 sports teams. I believe that every student can find and explore what they are interested here.”
A parent surnamed Liu said the school was her top choice.
“The four years of junior high school are important in nurturing children, and helping them form values and vision,” she said. “It’s more than just preparation to take exams. I want my son to have a well-rounded experience and learn about the world around him.”
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