Back to school: cooking and gardening on the program in China
Audio 01:16
Students on back-to-school day in Shanghai, China, September 1, 2022. © REUTERS - ALY SONG
Text by: RFI Follow
2 mins
Students are back in schools Thursday, September 1 in China.
A return to school marked by new programs leaving more room for activities such as cooking and gardening.
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With our correspondent in Beijing,
Stéphane Lagarde
A kitchen area, then stairs that go up to the classrooms and students happy to find their classmates and their teachers.
Like most establishments, the Franco-Chinese Montessori school in
Beijing
was worried before the summer about the departure of foreigners, families, but also certain teachers, tired of
confinements
and online lessons.
“
There have been several schools that have closed, there are also, there, as we have seen, many schools that are reopening with fairly low numbers
, remarks Tristan Macquet, director of the school.
It's true that we had a slightly larger number than usual of families leaving Beijing for good.
»
Finally, the Montessori school reopened with an extra class this year and a teaching that corresponds to the spirit of the times.
The emphasis for this
new school year being placed on “
different courses
” and “
quality education
”, say the state media.
More cultural and sporting outings in particular.
"
I think an effort is being made to rethink and improve the public system, environmental issues, health issues, where ten years ago we were much more 'I learn characters by heart and I do math"
, continues Tristan Macquet.
At the next school year, #cooking classes in #schools in #China.
Hoping the boys get into it too… https://t.co/ms5rYqy9Bm
— Stephane Lagarde (@StephaneLagarde) May 6, 2022
The Chinese system has long been criticized for its standardized tests disconnected from reality.
Learning to peel vegetables, to cook, to repair a household appliance or to garden, more than ten new activities related to "
work
" and "
practical life
" are on the program from this start of the school year.
It remains to be seen whether these innovations are applicable: we are not going to cook without equipment, said this Thursday morning a skeptical mother of a student in front of the gate of a primary school in the center of Beijing.
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