Editorials

Be creative, children

(China Daily)
Updated: 2010-11-27 08:03

That our students rarely get the chance to use their imagination was an open secret among Chinese people. Now, a global survey has brought it to the notice of the rest of the world.

The survey covering 21 countries, conducted by International Educational Progress Evaluation Organization, showed Chinese students excelled at math, beating their peers from other countries. But when it came to using their imagination, they were tied for the last place. And in creativity, they were fifth from the bottom.

The survey results are not shocking, given the way our children are taught in schools and at home. But they are a stern reminder to our educators and parents to change their ways.

Chinese students rarely get the time or chance to use their imagination. Right from the day they enter school they are pushed into a culture of exams and more exams. Teachers and parents teach them that education is all about passing these exams with flying colors. And to pass those exams, they are made to learn by rote standard answers.

Teachers dare not encourage students to think outside the box. Teachers don't like students questioning them, stifling the curiosity of the young minds. For children, there's hardly any room for bright ideas either in class or at home.

Israel shares the value of education with China. But there is a world of difference between the way Israeli parents treat their children and we do. Israeli parents do not mollycoddle their children. Instead, they encourage them to learn how to live by themselves. In contrast, Chinese parents go to extremes, pampering their children one moment for doing what they think is good and punishing them severely the next for committing a "mistake".

The global study should make us swing into action and help our students to throw open their young minds to imagination and creativity. It is time our education officials and educators asked themselves what they should do to let our children's imagination and creativity blossom.

Creativity stems from imagination. To make students creative, educators should encourage them to use their imagination to the full. It is important for students to give wings to their imagination beyond school hours, too. And parents can contribute to the creative development of their children by encouraging them to be more inquisitive.

Only by being imaginative can our students come up with creative solutions to problems and expand their world.

(China Daily 11/27/2010 page6)