Kristoff on China Ed - Essay Example

In Chinese schools, teachers are much respected, and the most admired kid is often the brain rather than the jock or class clown.” (Kristof) Thus, it is fundamental to realize the major purpose of the author in this article is to establish that there has been a fundamental growth in China’s education system and the passion for learning, and the rest of the world, including the U.S., should model this system of education for the growth of the civilization. According to Kristof, it is essential to elevate education on the list of priorities in the nation and there should be emphasis on creativity and independent thought.

Therefore, Nicholas D. Kristof establishes through his article that the U.S. should strive to adopt the model given by China’s education system in order to achieve overall development of the nation. This paper makes a reflective exploration of Kristof’s “China’s Winning Schools?” in order to find out the author’s major concepts and ideologies concerning education system and the role of cultural values in education. . As Kristof indicates, the Confucian reverence for education, steeped into the culture, has been the greatest strength of the Chinese system of education.

The author is explicit that this education system and the passion for learning, and not China’s strategic challenge, offer a real challenge to the Americans. Thus, the most crucial argument of the article is that the Americans should think of the real challenge hoisted by the Chinese, which is in the field of education, rather than worrying about China’s strategic challenge in terms of the new Chinese stealth fighter aircraft, etc. Kristof purports that the “real challenge is the rise of China’s education system and the passion for learning that underlies it.

We’re not going to become Confucians, but we can elevate education on our list of priorities without relinquishing creativity and independent thought.” (Kristof) Secondly, in a reflective analysis of the major purpose of the author in writing the article, it becomes lucid that he is mainly focused on the growth in the education system of China which is based on Confucian reverence for education. By listing out the most essential aspects of Chinese system of education, the author attempts to provide a highly useful model of education for the U.S., which is based on reverence for education, quality of teaching, passion for learning, and creativity and independent thought.

Therefore, the author not only promotes the successful aspects of Chinese system of education, but also establishes the need for creativity and independent thought which are fundamental to the U.S. system of education. Thirdly, the author has been effective in achieving his main purposes in the article by pointing out the essential components of China’s education system, along with