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Chinese Middle and Grammar School Textbooks Most Difficult in the World
Zhu Muju, Deputy Director of the Basic Education Department under the Ministry of Education, compared the Chinese and foreign education systems recently.
She said current Chinese science textbooks at the middle and grammar school levels are the most difficult in the world, and their narrowly focused content is hard to understand. Chinese math textbooks generally are two grades higher than those in foreign countries and they contain much less human content than European and American ones.
She also said the difficulty of the textbooks and the pressure of exams are taking a toll on students. The Ministry of Education has surveyed more than 10,000 students, and most of them said they disliked school. Seventy percent of schoolmasters and teachers thought that what the schools do best is teaching basic knowledge and skills. But more than 90 percent of students said they don¡®t have enough sleep and lack free time for hobbies. Students said they gradually become examination machines. The survey said textbooks stress only basic knowledge and neglect the students¡¯personalities, values and normal development. During the educational process, students just receive knowledge, and only in their first few years can they do some creative homework.
Zhu claimed that the present basic education system fails to meet the needs of both the society and students, and the government will reform textbooks and upgrade the quality of the teaching staff.
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