Sinology, where to go?

The abnormal heat of sinology in China has caused a lot of problems. According to Provisions for prohibiting obstruction to the implementation of compulsory education which was published by Ministry of Education of China, organizations are not allowed to pass on knowledge about "The three obediences and fourvirtues", divination, geomantic culture, and fortune-telling by using sinology as an excuse.

However, although Ministry of Education of China has taken action, the illegal educational institutions still spring up and mislead parents to take their children to come and study and pay for the courses with a large amount of money. In addition, the standard of educational institutions is not clear and the teaching content is not checked by the government.

Not only the quality of teachers should be paid attention to, but also the intention that parents ask their children to study sinology should be thought deeply.

This picture shows that it is not available for burden alleviation totally. Picture from Xinhua Agency.

Because of the new trend of college entrance exam in China, “Chinese is the king” makes the worried parents fail to be calm when they hear that learning sinology will help their children get good grades in Chinese examination. The educational institutions make full use of this ideology to gain much profit.

In addition, comparative mentality also plays an important role in this situation. Chinese parents are afraid that their children will fall behind other children, they push their children to attend different kinds of extra-curricular classes. Furthermore, parents hope that their children can attend more classes than others. But in fact, children will only suffer a lot of pressure and get bored with sinology because of their pushy parents.

What is more, sinology is not fit in society. Many contents of sinology are dross rather than treasure. Traditional Chinese education should adapt to the current society. People should integrate moral education into general education to cultivate virtuous students. As for traditional sinology, people should have a critical thinking and innovative consciousness to promote the development of sinology.

To carry forward sinology, it is time to standardize the market. Sinology education is a social undertaking, it requires government, schools and educational institutions to work together to promote the development. When teaching sinology, teachers need to change with children’s age and cognitive rules. The aim of learning sinology is not memorizing all the words of traditional Chinese masterpieces but understanding them. Sinology education needs to be combined with modern society.

If the Chinese keep on treating sinology in this abnormal way, they must push sinology into an awkward condition.

Reference:

Xinhuanet. (2019). Reducing the burden, a problem that has lasted for half a century.   Retrieved from: http://www.xinhuanet.com/politics/2019-12/23/c_1125376667.htm

Xinhua Agency. (2018). The cost of courses catches up with housing mortgage - local two sessions concern after school make up the heat. Retrieved from:   http://www.xinhuanet.com/2018-01/29/c_1122335972.htm