Youngsters Go for Science, Teaching ProfessionsWhich career will you choose when you grow up?For Chinese youngsters, science or education are now the most popular choices, according to a recent survey by the All-China Women's Federation. Chinese young people used to choose careers in business or films only a few years ago, occupations which would bring them wealth, fame or both. But the latest poll has revealed that 28.12 per cent of all the 3,500 young people surveyed, aged between six and 18, expressed their keenness to become scientists in the future, with another 17 per cent hoping to become teachers. They said that Wu Wenjun, a Chinese mathematician, and Yuan Longping, the "father of hybrid rice," have set good examples for them. Both scientists have made outstanding achievements in their respective fields and won 5 million yuan (US$604,000) each in cash in February this year by winning the country's top science and technology award for the year 2000. The survey was conducted in Beijing and Shanghai municipalities and five other provinces around China. The youngsters' mothers, most of whom had senior high school or higher educational backgrounds, also filled in questionnaires which aimed to reveal Chinese families' current attitudes towards new trends in children's education. The mothers held the firm belief that to become wealthy through knowledge would correctly guide Chinese society into its next phase in the new knowledge economy era. In recent years, the Chinese Government has been calling for people to have a greater respect for science and knowledge, and has encouraged intellectuals to make themselves rich through knowledge. Social status and economic levels of Chinese scientists and teachers have since seen obvious improvements. The survey highlighted a big change in ordinary people's values and their concepts of education, which was a result of China's social advancement, said Guan Hongyu, director of the education management department of the Beijing Institute of Education. Chinese parents are well known for their concerns about how well their children do at school. But according to the latest poll, roughly half of the mothers believed a good child should depend on himself or herself, and constantly strive to pursue his or her dream. Some 33.57 per cent of the youngsters surveyed agreed with this opinion. "China is transforming itself from a society that used to be solely concerned about school certificates to one that requires all-round abilities," Guan remarked. |
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