In today’s talking points: Chinese students should feel confident to let their voices be heard; Students voices will be heard at the 19th National Congress; TCM to become a compulsory course in Zhejiang Province; High-end education services zone.
Students voices will be heard at the 19th National Congress
Xu, associate Professor of Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics is one of the 2,287 delegates to the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China. Xu states his pet topic is education. He cares most about all the issues related to education in the next five years. Xu operates a WeChat account with 200,000 followers. At the 19th National Congress, Xu states he will bring his students opinions and suggestions, including equal access to education and reforms in higher education.
Read more at: China Daily
Chinese students should feel confident to let their voices be heard
Chinese students studying at Australian universities have been encouraged by Frances Adamson, the Secretary of DFAT, to speak up if they hear something they disagree with to gain an ‘authentic Australian education’. Chinese students might be reluctant to engage in debates as they are accustomed to being monitored by Chinese universities for politically sensitive comments. Ms Adamson reinforced the support of free debate from Australian university campuses. Through education and business links, Australia and China can foster deeper cultural understandings.
Read more at: The Age
TCM to become a compulsory course in Zhejiang Province
Zhejiang Province released the first series of TCM textbooks in China. Traditional Chinese Medicine and Wellness (TCMW) will become mandatory in the elementary curriculum. The course will be offered to students in Grade 5 for one hour per week and taught by science teachers. However, some science teachers feel uncomfortable teaching the class as many TCM beliefs contradict proven scientific theories. The goal is to popularize TCM among the new generation. The Zhejiang department of finance will support the project with an annual fund of 5-6 million yuan.
Read more at: Global Times
Shandong upgrades its high-end education services zone
Schools across the Weifang Hi-tech Industrial Development Zone have had outstanding facility upgrades to basic education services in the past few years. An international school has launched compulsory swimming and skating courses for students during the semester. Furthermore, the zone has made tremendous efforts to train teachers with more than 100 job positions being offered on an annual basis. In 2018, 10 million yuan will be provided as awards to teachers in the zone. A series of incentive plans to encourage teachers to provide quality education services have been released.
Read more at: China Daily