Children at an old-style tutorial school in the capital learn the ancient Chinese classics.

More than 200 children are learning traditional Chinese culture in ten old-style tutorial schools, all of which are located in the suburbs of Beijing. They study ancient Chinese classics such as the Four Books and Five Classics, the authoritative books of Confucianism written before 300 BC.

"Sishu" is a traditional private school with a scholarly tutor teaching students in a private schoolhouse. The concept dates back more than 2,000 years in China. The ten old-style tutorial schools in the capital are not the same as those in the ancient times, but they are totally different from modern schools.

"Our school has enrolled 16 children, who are arranged in three classes with different subjects. But all the students spend four hours learning the Four Books and Five Classics every day. They also study subjects such as English and fine arts," said a teacher surnamed Wu.

Zhan Ran, a 5-year-old child, can recite the Classics of Changes smoothly after a period of study at Wu’s school. Many other children can also repeat such traditional Chinese classics as the Analects of Confucius and Book of Songs, China's first ancient poem collection.

Most of the old-style tutorial schools in Beijing are run in a similar manner. Many parents approve of the private education system, saying that the private tutorial system can not only guarantee a sound general education but also be helpful for improving children's grounding in traditional Chinese culture.

Candidates with both a bachelor's degree and a perfect command of traditional Chinese culture qualify to teach in these old-style schools. The tutors listen to lectures delivered by Buddhist or Taoist priests at regular intervals to improve their skills in the teaching of traditional Chinese culture.

The private tutorial system is open to those who are interested in traditional Chinese culture and who do not adapt readily to the education process in modern schools. "Children have a good memory; the earlier they learn the Chinese classics, the more helpful it will be for their future life and study," said Wu.

The tuition fee per semester in the old-style tutorial schools is about 20,000 to 30,000 yuan, which is triple that in modern boarding schools. Most of the children in the old-style tutorial schools therefore come from wealthy families.

There are now some 10 such old-style tutorial schools in Beijing. But not all of them have obtained the relevant permits from the administrative authorities for industry and commerce or the Ministry of Education. Officials of education departments hold the view that children should receive compulsory education in modern schools.

Additionally, a lawyer from the Beijing Juntai Law Firm believes that private tutorial schools operating without permission from the Ministry of Education might be accused of practising illegally.

(China.org.cn by Yang Xi, November 5, 2008)