320
20
Other considerations must, however, be borne in mind. The question is by no means as simple as it may appear to those whose thoughts are fixed only on the remission of the British portion of the Indemnity. It is becom- ing an international question. The American, Russian and Japanese por tions will almost certainly be devoted to educational purposes, but it would, be most unwise for each of these nations to seek to promulgate in China' some order of education based upon its own ideals. The only rea- sonable course is for these Powers to co-operate with China in promoting one single system of general education in which the distinctive national traits would be merged or lost. (This is on the supposition that China is soon to reach the state when such a universal system will be possible in all parts of the land.)
One of two courses is thus left to Great Britain; either to join this somewhat uncertain entente, and give up the attempt to assist China through the advantages which British education is able to confer; or to carve out a new road for herself, some new and untried avenue of helpful approach to China. For it may be that by leaving the beaten track which the other Powers will have to tread together, and by finding some more original way of proving her goodwill to China, Britain will accomplish more and render the greater assistance.
Education need not be the only channel of helpfulness, though it must not be neglected. It is significant that quite recently Chinese educa- tionists have been pronouncing the opinion that they do not desire the interference of the other Powers in their educational policy. If this is so, great caution should be exercised as the decision to confine the Indemnity Funds to certain schemes of general educational reform of advance, the underlying hypothesis of which is that advice and some plan of co-opera- tion would be tendered by us together with the moneys which we render available for such education: for very few would be bold enough to survei that the funds should be handed over without condition of ecntrol to the Chinese Authorities.
Another expression of opinion has been made by a group of representa- tive Chinese educationists. They object to the method which they believe we are adopting for the disposal of these funds. Presumably a Committee at home to decide the chief issues is the main subject of their condemnation. They state that the British and the Japanese way of procedure is objection-
21
able, while they praise the American and the Russian method. This method differs from ours in that the whole matter is referred for final decision to a small committee out here, consisting probably in each case of a majority of Chinese as compared with the American or Russian Members.
One other important statement which has been made quite recently by probably the ablest of the leaders in the new intellectual revival, should be noticed by those anxious to discover the best solution of this intricate question. Referring to the influence of Foreign educationists in China, he has said that a great mistake has been made by those from western lands in that they have spread themselves out too thinly, and attempted work which the Chinese would have done better themselves, such as teaching in elemen- tary or lowergrade schools. What they should do is to concentrate on work of a higher kind, and seek to produce a lasting impression by creating some object lesson in one or another of their institutions,
This opinion, coming from one so well qualified to speak, may act in some "onse as a guide to the finding of the better way. If some useful impres- sion education in China is to be made, why not attempt to secure this desirable end by creating here and there a few distinctive object lessons in the form of thoroughly efficiency and properly equipped institutions in which the best principles of British education would be applied to Chinese needs? Hongkong University would certainly be one of these, and institutions already at work in strategic centres in China herself would be chosen, 80 that various parts of the country would be in touch with the movement. The much needed support for the British element in Union Colleges should also be forthcoming, whilst the proposal to strengthen the admirable medical work in Mission hospitals would meet with universal agreement.
No interference with national ideas of education need result, for "British" does not mean "anti-Chinese". The growing national system would remain absolutely Chinese, but at the same time the influences which have already spread from institutions such as these referred to would continue to make their impression on the Chinese schools and Colleges side by side with which this British education would be carried on.
Sums not much larger than that suggested in the "Peking & Tientsin Times" proposls, namely $500,000 per annum, would probably suffice for the adequate support of these institutions on Chinese soil, for British ideas of economy and a large measure of self-support would be a valuable feature.
Page 330Page 331
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.