Traditional Education Concept Shaken: Experts
Chinese experts in the field of education pointed out that the traditional concepts of education, especially in primary and high schools, are increasingly challenged by the expanding knowledge economy.
The experts made the remark at a seminar in Zhucheng of east China's Shandong Province, adding that the existing education system, which focuses on the results of exams, is depressing children's creativity.
Many Chinese students are unable to enjoy studying because learning is regarded as a tool to cope with exams and the mark is considered the major standard to evaluate a student's capacity.
The experts suggested a more active and creative teaching method be developed in an effort to explore students' potential and raise their interest in learning.
Students in high schools shall be encouraged to do research and write papers so that they can learn scientific methods and sharpen their thinking capacity, said Sun Weigong, a high school teacher from Beijing.
"We should urge students to challenge the authority, including teachers and textbooks, which is the essential ability to survive today's changing world," he added.
Primary and high schools will set up courses that let students choose the research topics and solve the problems independently, said Sun Yuanqing, director of Shanghai Teaching Research Office.
