Tamarian: I will never forgive the education of China

I will never forgive the education of China

Translated by Karen L., Written by Tamarian (添馬男), Edited by Kc Cheung
Original : http://hk.apple.nextmedia.com/financeestate/art/20140210/18620555
 

"Give me back my choice for choosing TV channels, break the monopoly of TV stations!"

Universities in Hong Kong have accepted more and more mainland applicants. In postgraduate programmes, the proportion of students from mainland has exceeded that of the locals. Shocking, huh?

Some believe these students from the mainland will be influenced by the spirit of freedom in Hong Kong, so that by the time they go home, a storm of change will come along. That means - in a macro sense - more students from mainland taken by the local universities would mean positive outcomes for China.

For those possessed thoughts as such, I suggest you to take a look at the book, which is called I will never forgive the education of China, by Zhong Daoran (鍾道然), a post-90s mainlander. Surely you'll get a clearer picture of the nature over the "bests" standing out from the National Matriculation Examination, known as Gaokao.

Writer of this book had studied in one of the best high school and university in mainland China. For 14 years, his personal experiences he witnessed how flagrant the education in mainland China aims to destroy students' personalities and their ability of critical thinking. Kids there, starting from primary school, have been receiving transformation to "mini-adults". Characteristics of them: Authorities-adherent, 'slogans'-believer and acquired competitor in one. The better they perform within the system, the more they fit the standard-quality-control by the Communist Party, an examination robots producer. And the control wouldn't give the students a break in high schools, but it transforms itself into training of mastering examinations, turning all of them 'professionals'.

Examination-centered education is only the tip of iceberg in distorting education policies of China, according to the writer's observation. Beneath it, is the problem of "professional" training and personality moulding. Without all-round development in personalities, youngsters, are made to follow the law of the jungle ONLY, eventually some materialistic hollow men. Will there be fundamental changes for these youngsters under long-term restriction and depression when they study in Hong Kong? Or is it just a means of Utilitarianism, to seek opportunities here to work? Or is Hong Kong regarded as a stepping-stone to achieve their immigration plans to places like America or Canada?

In the 80s, a great deal of people were made believe if ever the market-oriented reform continues, 'new middle class' will rise to be pioneers of democracy. Yet here's the one important part they forgot to put into the calculation - the education policy, which is influential to the extent enough to stop everything from happening. Extreme individualism has become signature for the generation, instead of a glance of the injustice in the society and its structure. Like people, like government. 30 years since then, a lot of degree holders have joined the middle class, and two decades after Tian'anmen Massacre, today, we can see a bunch of  young adults, holding their own cars, properties and strong purchasing power, and sometimes devour goods in Hong Kong as individual visitors. That's it for what they do.

It takes awareness in souls to be members of the middle class. Yet here the mass production of "professionals" following guidelines set by the policies of China's education, "Can't doubt, mustn't criticize, don't analyze, won't prove," they have been implanted and indoctrinated to act as a "peace and stable" force of cooperation to the central government.

Many people from the heyday (those who grow up in 1950's and 60's), have been promoted as moguls nowadays. They prefer to view Hong Kong teenagers and the "bests" from mainland in inverse proportion, and the "bests" are always on the top - sophisticated, submissive and professional in ones. As for students in Hong Kong, the university ones, at least they are commensurate with what real young adults should be like. They devote passion to be committee members of school's student council, enjoy dancing hip-hop, do goofy stuff, stand for HKTV, sympathise and defend for Xu Zhiyong.

Can raising 20% more quotas for students from mainland, or running another CU in Shenzhen, alter the nature of posterity, then the structure of the middle class, and eventually the future of China? Don't be that naive! If you don't believe me, see whether  those "smart asses" studying in Hong Kong dare to say a word for Xu Zhiyong, who is going to spend four years in prison? I know, "Never" is where your heart lies.

(Photo source: AppleDaily)