Wang shares his - and many other parents' - philosophy with Shanghai Daily. "Education is still supposed to change one's life, but not by providing a ladder to a good job, pay and social status, instead, by offering a way of lifelong learning, appreciating life and happiness."
Three years ago, he started educating his own daughter, then 12 years old. He hired tutors to teach the licensed school curriculum, in addition to monthly research projects that he himself assigned. He also hired art and dance instructors.
Gradually, his like-minded friends asked to send their own children, and now the school has nearly 100 children aged from eight to 16.
Tuition is expensive. It costs 40,000 yuan (US6,489) for a year.
Many parents around the country are interested, but there aren't many unlicensed schools yet, especially post-pre schools. A national online community has been formed, with sub-forums and groups in many cities, but less than one-third of these parents, numbering in the thousands, are practicing it. The quality of unlicensed schools varies greatly.
"I really want to follow the practice of home schooling, but I can't just quit my job or work at home, and I can't seem to find a home school in the area," says a parent from Nanjing, asking that his name not be published. "It's a very good idea, but it's also a big risk. With no precedent cases in China, I can't be sure whether the children would be better or worse off if they were put in a home school rather than a licensed one."
Father arrested for 'torturing' teen daughter
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