Cross-Strait Headmistresses Discuss Education at Historic Site

Over 30 school principals from the Chinese mainland and Taiwan gathered at the former residence of Soong Ching Ling, the early revolutionary, in Beijing, to discuss "Education, Women and Leadership".

The China Soong Ching Ling Foundation held the first ever "Ching Ling Forum: Cross-Strait Headmistress Dialogue" at the site on July 23.

Tang Wensheng, vice chairperson of the foundation expressed hope that the dialogue will build a platform for the cross-strait exchange for headmistresses, and realize deep cross-strait exchanges and cooperation among peers on theory and practice.

According to the foundation's research center consultant He Dazhang, Soong's educational concept was that education is bound to creating the future of the nation, and focuses on cultivating talents. The core of education is to make young people have the best human qualities, including love, work, courage, honesty, collectivism, simplicity and frugality, He said.

Fan Guiyu, principal of Chiayi School in Zhejiang Province said that although the current cross-Strait educational systems are different, they have the same educational concept on cultivating talents.

Fan believes that women educators can give more warmth and care, and provide a feeling of homeliness in the critical period during which a children's character is formed, leading them to feel more secure. She hopes that women educators can provide mutual help, and support each other in educational practice.

Besides, attendees also discussed their common concerns on "teachers' professional development and continuing education", "education reform in the Internet era", "art and style of female leaders’ work" and other issues. Two headmistresses respectively from Taiwan and Beijing shared their experience on personal development and the strategies to promote the development of teachers and schools.

The China Soong Ching Ling Foundation was established more than 30 years ago. The foundation focuses on cross-Strait cultural exchanges to build a strong platform in the fields of education, history and culture. It has held a study camp, cross-strait educational seminars for young people – the Chinese Teenagers' Life Education Forum – as well as a Kindergarten Teacher Talents Competition and other activities in recent years.

(Source: news.163.com/Translated and edited by Women of China)