EDUCATION IN CHINA.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 83, 8 April 1930, Page 5

EDUCATION IN CHINA.

lICFRESSIONS OF A VISITOR. AMERICAN METHODS. China is becoming equally as modern as Japan in her methods of education, according to Mr. K. M. Wong, a Chinese Government official, who is visiting Auckland. Mr. Wong is a graduate of Columbia University, New York, and the present head of Puicking College, Canton. He has taken a leading part in advocating the adoption of American methods in public schools and universities throughout China. .'■'""" Following the foundation of the Republic in 1911, Mr. Wong said, the European system of a seven years' primary and a four years' post primary course was introduced. Within the last threo years, however, the Nationalist Government.has followed the example of Japan by adopting the American 6—3—3 system, which involves a three years' junior high, school, and a three years' senior high school course before a student enters, the university. Higher education has progressed to such an extent that there are now 50 universities all told, the chief national institution being the Dr. Sun Yat Sen Memorial, Canton. The university staff numbers 200, with a total attendance of 3000 students, and a budget amounting to £200,000 annually. There are separate faculties in medicine, agriculture, law, arts and science, and plans for a school of engineering are also under consideration. The enthusiasm of the East for modern education may be gauged by th* fact that there are at present about 2000 Chinese students in the United States, and over 1000 attending Euro- . pean universities. National life in China, observed Mr. Wong, has not been affected by internecine strife to the extent reported. Business and education are making steady progress, and the day is not far off when China must be reckoned among the leading Powers of the modern world.