School for Children of Migrant Workers

Today we saw the tale of two schools.  We spent the morning at the National Day School in Beijing, which is one of the top schools in Beijing, and in China.  This school has 4,000 students and Yao Ming attended this school, but did not pass the test to go to the next level…  This school is one of the leaders in educational reform in china and I will have much to share about their philosophies and approach.  Photos are included in the link on this blog.  It is an amazing school, with some of China’s best students.

In the afternoon, we visited a migrant worker elementary school.  These are for children whose families have moved out of their rural village to find work in the city.  These are considered private, because they are not funded by the government.  The conditions that these wonderful young children and their teachers work in are unimaginable.  There are 1200 students and 56 staff.  Class sizes were 50-60, but that was the least of the shock.  This building would be condemned if it were would be condemned in the U.S.  They do not meet code in China either, and often migrant schools are closed down.  As was explained, the simply move to another location and set up shop…They have next to nothing in the way of supplies.  I did not see one computer.  Seeing this school was more moving than seeing the Great Wall of China.  There is too much to be said in a blog…