The past middle school - the most critical stage of education and learning in life

Author: Fu Guoyong
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-04-01
Features: The crucial stage of life – the education in secondary school has always been a focal point for society. This book showcases the characteristics of a group of renowned secondary schools that were established in the first half of the 20th century based on emerging educational philosophies and the needs of the times, achieving remarkable success. The authors and protagonists include academic giants such as Hu Shih, Chao Yuanren, Jiang Tingyun, Qian Mu, renowned scholars such as Yu Guangyuan, Ruan Yicheng, He Zhaowu, and Zhi Zhongyong, famous educational scientists like Qian Xuesen, Ma Dayou, Zhang Wei, and Wu Zhengyi, as well as celebrated writers and artists such as Mao Dun and Zhu Delun. They vividly recall the beneficial and well-rounded secondary education experiences that benefited them throughout their lives, while educators express their innovative ideas and perspectives on secondary education.
The past secondary schools, such as Beijing Normal University Affiliated High School, Tianjin and Chongqing Nankai High Schools, Jiangsu Yangzhou High School, Zhejiang Chunhui High School, and others like Beijing No. 3 High School, No. 101 High School, Shanghai Traditional Chinese Medicine College, Shaoxing Fu School (now Zhejiang No. 5 High School), and Chengzhong School, etc., feature dedicated principals and unforgettable teachers like the upright and courageous Kuang Huosheng, the meticulous Tao Guang who corrected assignments in great detail, the passionate Meng Zhishun, the highly professional Fu Zhongsun, and the daring Wei Rongjue. Their progressive and open-minded philosophies, rigorous yet lively academic atmosphere, sacred and solemn mission and sense of responsibility, though tested by the hardships of history, still evoke admiration today.
Education is the foundation of national development. In today's society where education is actively discussed and valued, reflecting on and revisiting the once magnificent and glorious secondary schools of the past can help us draw lessons from past successes and better understand and improve the state of education today. The nearly 50 essays included in this book are carefully selected from the vast amount of material collected by the editor over the years. Additionally, special contributions have been written for this book by academicians such as Shi Yafeng, historian of natural science Xu Liangying, renowned lawyer Zhang Sizhi, and scholar Lan Yingnian, among others.