Headline Oct. 28/ ''' CHINA TURNING AWESOME '''

''' CHINA TURNING AWESOME '''

CHINA IS A GLOBAL LEADER in industries like Artificial Intelligence, drone manufacturing and mobile payments...........

In some of China's schools ....... a lot of reading,.....a lot of writing ...and of course, revolution 

MANY EXPERTS and philosophers the world over think that the Communist Party of China is seeking ways to justify its hold on power in- an era when its founding goal of proletarian revolution   no longer seems very relevant.

While President Xi is hardly the first Chinese leader to turn to patriotism as a substitute, he has pushed a version that plays up the party's role as a force for restoring China's greatness.

The government has set up 231 so-called Red Army schools as models for its approach. One is Ms. Xie's Workers and Peasants Red Army Elementary School, in Yuqing county.

President Xi, himself the son of a Communist revolutionary, has hailed Red Army schools as a model for the nation. He and his mother, Qi Xin, have given the equivalent of tens of  thousands of dollars to the schools, records show.

 A  Red Army school in northwestern China is also named for Mr. Xi's father, Xi Zhongxun.

The party sees the school, which serve tens of thousands of students in the former revolutionary bases in 28 provinces, as charity projects that help the most disadvantaged children.

While the patriotic appeals have found fertile ground among working class Chinese hungry for a sense of pride. some experts warn that placing too much emphasis on nationalistic education has its own risks.

Juang Xueqin, an education consultant in Beijing, said that fanning national pride could quickly  ''mutate into a fierce and militant nationalism'' that is difficult to control.

''The blood in the past gave us the life we have today,'' said Kuang Yanli, 11, a sixth grade student.   

''A lot of other countries want to invade our country again. so we have to study hard and make sure that doesn't happen.''

An abrupt reversal, indeed, for a school that at one time didn't provide hot water showers because cold water would enhance ''will power and endurance''.

Reformers are also loosening the shackles of entrance-exam testing.

Some students in Shanghai will have two chances at the college entrance exam, while universities are beginning to consider volunteering, interviews and regular high-school tests as part of the admissions process.

FOR all its faults, the Chinese systems provided some benefits that critics tend to dismiss.

It imparts an early foundation of knowledge that can prepare a child for lifelong success. 

Cognitive scientists say that real learning doesn't happen unless knowledge is imprinted on long-term memory. Once children lock away key information, they can free up the active memory for thinking deeply  -and for being creative.    

And the system produces success stories. On the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development's 2012 problem-solving test-

Students in Shanghai  -a pilot district where reforms are tested -finished sixth well above the  O.E.C.D. average.

And highly skilled Chinese thrive in environment that encourages originality and entrepreneurship.

WHEN such Chinese emigrate, the results are very impressive:

Ethnic Chinese emigrants are founding Silicon Valley Start-ups and are securing American patents at a disproportionate rate. 

CHINA is a global leader in industries like Artificial Intelligence, drone manufacturing, and mobile payments.

China's start-up sector has produced nearly as many tech unicorns as the United States {and surpassed Europe} so far this year.

Significant obstacles stay in the way of  reform. Deeply rooted authoritarianism and exam pressure dampen individual will, as does the Communist Parties increasingly heavy political agenda in the classroom.

How can China's leadership cultivate critical thinking skills while also pushing political indoctrination?

Further, change is largely confined to urban Chinese schools with the will, special designation or clout to experiment, while rural students are more likely to founder in a system that perpetuates inequality.

Meanwhile, families with the financial means continue to prefer secondary and university and education abroad.

YET in education, the Chinese are hopscotching with intent, and in the right direction. In a tightening global marketplace for college spots and jobs- the Chinese are growing more competitive.    

With respectful dedication to the Leaders, Students, Professors and Teachers of the free-world. See Ya all on !WOW!   -the World Students Society and Twitter-!E-WOW!   -the Ecosystem 2011:

''' Peace Heritage '''

Good Night and God Bless

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