By Bob Van Leer

  Chinese primary schools have larger classes, shorter vacations and are partially self-supporting. These were the lessons learned by the members of the NNA China Study Mission during a visit to the Hong Miao Primary School in Beijing, China, Oct. 11. Li Yu-Long, deputy schoolmaster, briefed the group and took them on a tour of the school. He said the school has 1200 students in 24 classes and a staff of 106. Of these, 66 teach and 32 work in the school factory.

  Much of the school activities are similar to those in the United States. But the factory is a big exception. Li said the factory is a place to train students in practical work but a second function is to produce income for the school. The factory makes audiovisual projection film which is distributed with teaching books. Classes are large, averaging 50 students. The building is old, built in 1901. Yet, even in jam-packed classrooms students were disciplined and attentive. Even our delegation going into a classroom didn't stop class activities. Li said the basic education is nine years, six elementary and three high school. Pupils start at age six.

  Students attend school six hours a day, six days a week. They have two vacations per year in urban areas, seven in the summer and four in winter. Courses include standards such as language which, in this case, is Chinese, math, ethics, history, geography, music, fine arts and others. English is taught above the fourth grade. We were sent to Hong Miao because, in spite of the age of the facilities, it has won two awards as a model school. Pay of the teachers ranges from approximately $34.00 per month for beginners to a top of $60.00 per month with $48.00 the average. In addition to this they get free housing and medical care. Pensions are 100 percent of salary after 25 years for women and 30 years for men. NNA members visited four classrooms after the briefing by Schoolmaster Li.