At the crossroads of education

Author: Zhang Wenzhi
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-10-01
Features: This book is a collection of nearly 50 of the author's educational essays. It continuously reflects on the free interpretation of the essence of education, offering thought-provoking and innovative perspectives. Zhang Wenzhi graduated from the Chinese Department of East China Normal University and currently works at the Fujian Provincial Audio-Visual Education Institute. He is the Executive Editor of Fujian Forum (Social Sciences and Education Edition) and Tomorrow's Education Forum. For many years, he has been dedicated to the theoretical research and experimental exploration of life-oriented education.
A new education is born at the crossroads. Without hesitation, there is no need for choice, no need for decision-making, nor the courage to take responsibility at any moment. The crossroads signify diversity, meaning, and the freedom to choose. If there is true love in this world, there must be freedom, because love means freedom and will certainly bring freedom. Opening Education at the Crossroads is like opening a door to education, revealing a different perspective on education, and seeing the steadfast commitment of a unique soul to education. In his devoted attention, there is sorrow, pursuit, frustration, yet also full expectation. The text, both profound and witty, narrates one educational story after another, a trickle of educational worries, and a gush of life's deepest love. Fresh and unadorned, with profound inner strength and a subtle tension, it moves readers to emotion and reflection, prompting deep introspection.
"I never imagined I would become a patient and meticulous observer of education. Yet once I immersed myself in it, I found true strength in life and love." This is the author's inner monologue and also the essence of the book. Education at the Crossroads opens for us the author's delicate perspective on education—he evaluates the details of education from the height of life and the viewpoint of humanistic spirit, patiently reflecting on the strength of humanity, the original simplicity of education, and the essence of education as the freedom of life, as well as the weight of the current state of education. Through his deep love for education, he persistently pursues the truth, directly expressing the intensity of life, while profound thoughts stand lightly before us, stirring our spirits and allowing emotions to flow quietly. Amid joy and sorrow, we see education, schools, and teachers; in the flow of time and nature, we see systems, funding, and environments; in the spiritual depth of words and the intensity of life, we see our inner selves, experiences, and souls.
The flowing inner monologue is sincere, close, profound, and deeply moving, like mellow wine—once tasted, it intoxicates, making us share his sorrow, his concern, his joy, and his reflections on the humanity and humanism of education. In conventional thinking, when something stands at a crossroads, it signifies difficulty, pain, and a critical choice that requires careful consideration. However, Zhang Wenzhi, with his unique perspective, holds a special affection for crossroads, yearning for their arrival. He vividly describes: "A new education is born at the crossroads. Without hesitation, there is no need for choice, no need for decision-making, nor the courage to take responsibility at any moment. The crossroads signify diversity, meaning, and the freedom to choose. If there is true love in this world, there must be freedom, because love means freedom and will certainly bring freedom."
Rather than a reflection on education, this is more a longing born from long devotion to education, a passionate desire for education at the crossroads filled with love and freedom. This is also the spiritual interpretation of a humanist scholar. "The crossroads prove a dream belonging to everyone—a dream with differences, mechanisms, and a trustworthy and loyal affirmation of the future." He is such a humanist scholar who harbors this educational dream and turns it into real action: fluttering like a bird in the sunlight, practicing, thinking, and striving, dedicating his heart and effort to it.
In our daily lives, we are often busy with books and classrooms, always focused on the future of children, offering earnest guidance, yet neglecting the present moment of life, gradually moving education away from the needs of human life, leading to the "absence of responsibility in many of our actions." Education truly is "not about grand narratives, not even about profound meanings—just detailed reflection and careful observation." The numerous details the author observes with care in the book always draw our attention, yet they also often make us feel ashamed or deeply moved. Much of the book resembles the author's encounters with life, books, his soul, and life itself—a soliloquy, as if speaking to his own soul; or like the words of a spirit lost in thought. His words flow with literary brilliance and moving temperament, sharp yet humorous, making readers both laugh and feel a gentle sorrow.
If you haven’t heard his lectures or encountered his thoughts, you might ask, "This isn’t an educational work—it’s clearly a personal diary." But those who have shared his educational philosophy and understand his ideas will grasp this alternative expression of education. As he mentions in the text, "For someone who contemplates education, all of this holds educational significance." "All of this" refers to the many scenes, memories, and words he describes, where "every word is connected to our bodies, and every word can move those who still possess these words in their reflections."
Thus, in the book, we see countless details of classroom life, campus life, interpersonal interactions, daily life, the lives of plants and animals, the author’s own words and actions, reading habits, and even the details of certain words. Through these soliloquies and reflections, we are shown the fragility of life and the weight of education, calling out for the essence of humanity and humanism in education, and hoping for a gentle, patient, life-oriented education. This not only expresses his educational philosophy but also practices his advocacy—educational reading and educational writing. He opposes vague, clichéd essays and advocates for the heart-to-heart language that infuses the spirit of life and emotional warmth, conveying genuine details and emotions to express true educational ideas.
For example, in "The Traveler Is the Journey Itself," it seems like personal life details, yet when the author opens his heart, he reveals: "When I think of this, I can’t help but attribute my achievements to the schools that educate us day after day, big or small. A good principal is a school—this is a moment of deep respect. This is our pain, our etiquette, our festivals." This is not just about the connection between personal growth and education, but his heartfelt reflections after deep involvement in educational practice. Reading Education at the Crossroads is like engaging in a spiritual dialogue with the author—it differs from reading general educational essays, where one might think they can take it all in at a glance. This book requires readers to savor it slowly, just as the author reflects on the details of education, with its winding and beautiful inner words offering endless, profound reflection, and a gentle touch of sorrow along with hopes for the education of tomorrow.