I've been working in basic education all my life. Since the construction of an educational power was proposed, I have been thinking, what is the relationship between basic education and the construction of an educational power? How to further promote the reform, innovation and improvement of basic education, and make due contributions to the construction of a strong country in education?
Basic education is not only the foundation for everyone's growth, but also the foundation for the development of education, and in the final analysis, the foundation for the prosperity of the country. I believe that the current reform, innovation and improvement of basic education should start from the following aspects:
First, we should strive to straighten out our educational thinking. Guided by the thought of socialism with Chinese characteristics in the new era, we should establish a correct outlook on talents, success, and education, conscientiously implement the party's education policy, and implement the fundamental task of establishing morality and cultivating people. **The general secretary pointed out at the 2018 National Education Conference that it is necessary to solve the "five only" problems in the field of education, "reverse the unscientific orientation of educational evaluation, and resolutely overcome the stubborn disease of only scores, only promotion, only diplomas, only **, and only hats". These "five onlys" are typical manifestations of the tendency of educational ideology to be uncorrect and utilitarian in education, and it is necessary to thoroughly reform and stop some phenomena that exist in the field of basic education.
The second is to reform and innovate the content of education and teaching. It is necessary to appropriately increase the content of China's excellent traditional culture and Chinese-style modernization, including digital content. This is an important guarantee for improving the quality of basic education and teaching and for cultivating batch after batch of high-quality talents with both ability and political integrity for the long-term development of the country and the nation.
The third is to reform and innovate education and teaching methods. It is necessary to thoroughly reform the teaching methods of hard indoctrination and rote memorization. It is necessary to create a teaching environment in which students actively participate in learning, and be good at stimulating and protecting students' curiosity, desire for knowledge, and ability to think independently and ask questions. To encourage students to ask questions in class and cultivate innovative talents, it is necessary to start with cultivating creative thinking.
Fourth, reform and innovate the evaluation system. Starting from this system, we should thoroughly eradicate the stubborn disease of the "five onlys." From local party committees and schools, students, teachers, parents and society, we must highly recognize and implement the evaluation criteria for the all-round development of morality, intelligence, physical fitness, art and labor, and the development of personality and expertise. Local party committees and leaders must first of all give play to the role of correct guidance for schools, students, parents, and society.
Fifth, strengthen the construction of a three-in-one pattern of school education, family education, and social education. At present, there is a phenomenon of decoupling between the three at different paces, and sometimes after students receive positive education in school, the propaganda in society goes in the opposite direction. What is particularly worrying is that the education of students' ideals and beliefs is adversely affected by society, especially in the unsatisfactory answers to questions asking what children will do when they grow up. This may require further strengthening the liaison and communication between the education sector and the propaganda sector.
The author is the former director of the Institute of Educational Sciences).
China Education Daily, February 29, 2024, page 4
Author: Zhuo Qingjun.