The four-year-old school was started by a man who had a son who was an accomplished pianist.
Most of the students are from Guangzhou, but there are also children from rich Hongkong families who want their children to learn to play the piano, dance and to learn computer skills. A number of these children were from single parent families and some who manifested behavioral problems had been rejected in the Hongkong schools.
Generally, the children were very vocal and their parents demanding.
Dissatisfaction was voiced either verbally or in writing. Though the school would annually invite parents to an open house to observe teachers in class, parents would check their children's books and even go to the school unexpectedly to check on the teachers while they taught.
The daily schedule for the children was rather laborious. The day began at approximately 6.45 am and ended at 10 pm with ten minute breaks between lessons. The scheduled hour-long afternoon nap was often disrupted and children were frequently tired and sleepy. Most children would go home during the weekends but usually about 30 of them had to stay back as their parents could not take them home.
I noticed that some children were already rebelling against the rigors of their school life. Some of the Housemothers who cared for the children were young and inexperienced. They found it hard to cope with the multiple, emotional needs of the children. Teachers had difficulty in handling the confrontational and indifferent attitudes of some of the students. Yet, stricter disciplinary measures were inapplicable as this was a private enterprise and the income of the school could not be compromised.
The positive aspects were that the two principals were well trained and experienced educators who sincerely cared for the children. The school management was aware of the difficulties that the staff faced and was trying to provide some sort of formation programmes for them.
In my previous experience in Fangshan, I tasted the life of the poor rural people. Here in Guangzhou, I came in contact with the people of a big city. All in all, this experience has widened my knowledge and understanding of China and has thus been very enriching.
By: Sr Margaret Syn
Sr. Margaret Syn with students.
