re: #48 austin_blue

Any truth to the stories I read about the suppression of individual thought among the majority of the students? That they are front-loaded to toe the State line?

It’s subtle, but it’s there. They get a lot of indoctrination throughout their school years, and in college are required to attend courses on Marx and Mao. The history lessons are slanted in favor of the Glorious Party, and there’s a xenophobic tinge to some of it.

Aside from the political aspect, the exam-based educational system pretty much quashes any chance to be creative as a senior high school student. Their time from the age of 16 to 18 is spent studying almost 24/7 for the college entrance exam, unless they’re vying for a spot in music or dance college.

Then, there’s a strong bias against risk and individuality here, and toward a safe, secure career that will enable an only child to support his or her parents and grandparents in their retirement.

One of my third-year students here told me she wants to make movies, but she’s majoring in business English for a career in foreign trade. I told her there’s no reason why she can’t make her own movie now. The technology is easily available, and she’s got free time as a student still. This possibility never occurred to her before.