Guideline urges schools, families, communities to work together

China plans to improve a cooperative mechanism made up of schools, families and communities to nurture the development of morality, intelligence, sports, art and a hardworking spirit among students, according to a new guideline.

Issued by the Ministry of Education and 12 other departments, the guideline sets a target of devising a clearly defined, scientific and efficient mechanism by 2035.

While schools still assume the main role in educating students, families should also take active responsibility, and the community should also offer support, the guideline said.

In addition to providing education, schools should inform parents of their child's mental state, academic performance and behavior and investigate the situation at home, it said.

Close, regular contact between schools and families should be established, and head teachers are advised to visit students at home at least once a year.

Schools should also offer advice to parents in their role as family educators and organize meetings at least twice every semester to explain the philosophies as well as major policies related to school and education to parents.

Meanwhile, special attention should be paid to more vulnerable students such as the disabled, orphans, and rural children whose parents are migrant workers.

Schools are encouraged to also make good use of resources to teach students social responsibility and practical skills, and to instill an innovative spirit.

They should set up communication with educational centers and organize field trips, and also invite model workers, artists and representatives of different sectors of society to give talks, the guideline said.

It also urged parents to improve their ability to be family educators, stating that the home is a child's first classroom, and their parents are their first teachers.

Parents should teach children by example, create an uplifting and optimistic family environment, maintain harmonious familial relationships and ensure a good environment in which children are able to grow up healthily.

They are encouraged to follow scientific parenting concepts and focus on developing their child's morals, good habits and physical and mental health.

While fully respecting individual difference, parents should set rational targets for their children, spend more time with them and offer more guidance and encouragement.

The guideline also requests that parents participate more in activities organized by schools, learn more about family education and work with schools to educate their children.

They should encourage their children to finish their homework, exercise every day, read, participate in activities and do household chores, while also limiting the time they spend using electronic devices to prevent the formation of bad habits.

Communities should include family education guidance as an important part of public service efforts and set up affordable training at public facilities.

The guideline requires that communities hold extracurricular activities for primary and secondary school students and that museums, education centers, cultural centers, sports venues, parks and art venues should be open to primary school and preschool pupils for free or at a discount.

Greater efforts should be made to regulate children's books, videos and the internet to curb harmful content and prevent addiction to games.

Government departments should work together to strengthen the management of venues near schools, and bars or internet cafes are not allowed to do business in proximity to schools, it added.

An official with the Ministry of Education's Department of Basic Education said the guideline will help implement the double reduction policy, which reduces the excessive amount of homework and extracurricular tutoring students face.

Furthermore, universities and research institutions should conduct more research on the cooperative mechanism and train more family education professionals, the official added.

Zhang Zhiyong, a professor of education at Beijing Normal University, said that central authorities have placed great importance on the cooperative education mechanism and have stressed that the government, schools, families and communities should assume their responsibility in improving education for children.

The guideline is an important step toward strengthening education reform, creating a good education system and producing students capable of shouldering the responsibility of national rejuvenation, Zhang said.

Yao Feng, principal of Mingqiang Primary School in Shanghai's Minhang district, said the guideline clarifies the responsibility of schools, families and communities in educating students and offers them clear guidance.

In addition to developing a cooperative mechanism, schools should explore further resources in order to offer students after-school activities, as well as listen to parents' advice, she said.

zoushuo@chinadaily.com.cn