28.
Both
Some indication has already been given of the system of political
control of communist schools, and the Party organ responsible or its representa-
tive, is undoubtedly in close command of everything that goes on. Usually overt
control is nominally in the hands of a school management committee, containing
if possible a few prominent names, good for prestige and large donations.
teachers and students belong to school societies run by committee 'elected' from
the more progressive elements. The students society, in particular, assumes
much of the task of maintaining discipline. There is usually a Parent-Teachers
Association.
Teachers
29.
Teachers in communist schools can be divided, in the broadest terms
between the older teachers, mostly products of the old Chinese education system
and the young teachers, almost all of whom are themselves products of the
schools in which they teach. Both groups tend to have minimal training as
teachers and, more often than not, are 'permitted' to teach by Education
Department, rather than registered as qualified teachers.
30.
Although many of the older staff may well only pay lip service to
communism there is little doubt about the zeal of the younger ones, who will
normally have come from a leftist family, have spent twelve years in a communist
school and returned to teach there immediately after graduation, knowing and
caring nothing about the world outside their circle. Academically, they will
have been among the best pupils from their schools, though their qualifications
will have stopped short at the Chinese Certificate of Education.
SECRET