klisemfg Chapter 732: Comprehensive Development of Morality, Intelligence and Physical Fitness
Chapter 732: Comprehensive Development of Morality, Intelligence and Physical Fitness
A lady moved closer to the podium out of curiosity and wondered, "In such a large room, with the professor giving a lecture up there, can the people in the back row hear clearly?"
Bai Wanwan smiled and pointed to the beam above the podium:
"Look at that beam. We've specially installed a few hollow wooden troughs so that the sound can be transmitted in all directions along the troughs.
No matter which row you sit in, you can hear it clearly.”
As they were talking, a gentleman came in from the side door holding a scroll. He bowed to everyone as he passed by, with a very gentle expression.
"Our academy has several classes, ranging from young children who are just starting out to students preparing for college entrance exams."
Bai Wanwan said as she led the way out the door: "I'll take you to see the youngest class first. They are all three or four-year-old children."
Everyone followed her into a nearby courtyard. As they reached the window, they heard the soft voice of someone reading from inside: "At birth, human nature is good..."
Looking inside through the window, I saw about twenty dolls in small cloth shirts sitting neatly around a few low tables.
There were no heavy books on the table, only literacy cards with small pictures on them. Some of the cards had apples on them with the word "fruit" written next to them, and some had birds on them with the word "bird" written next to them.
A child with pigtails couldn't sit still and secretly reached for the cards on the table. The teacher didn't scold him sternly. Instead, he walked over, picked up the card, and asked with a smile, "What do you think is on this picture? Can you read the word?"
The doll blinked and replied softly, "It's...it's Rabbit."
The teacher nodded and led him to recite the word "rabbit" twice. The child followed suit with seriousness in his eyes.
"This class for little kids is quite interesting. It's not like other academies where they force students to memorize right from the start." A lady couldn't help but whisper as she looked at the scene inside.
The lady next to him also nodded: "Look, the children are sitting still and are willing to learn. This is much better than forcing them to learn."
Bai Wanwan stood by the window, looking at the approval in the ladies' eyes, and added with a smile:
“Children can’t sit still, so using picture cards to teach them words makes them remember quickly and willing to learn.
When they are older, we can teach them the serious books, step by step so that they can learn more solidly."
A lady by the window was moved by what she heard. She took a half step forward and lowered her voice:
"Master Bai, would you also take in a child who is about three or four years old?
My son is exactly three years old this year. I want to send him here, but I’m afraid he’s too young and won’t be able to take care of himself here…”
Bai Wanwan smiled when she heard this, her tone gentle and firm:
“Don’t worry, Madam, we will take in such a young child.
Considering their young age, we allow each family to bring a servant to take care of them, but only one at most.
Too many people will cause chaos, and I'm afraid it will disrupt the academy's rules."
She paused, and spoke in a slightly more serious tone:
"There's just one thing: the servants here can only take care of the children's daily life. The children must follow the academy's teaching rules in terms of classes and daily routines.
We can’t let the servants protect him and break the rules.”
The lady nodded hurriedly and pressed, "Yes! Of course not! How much money does your academy earn per semester? I want to start preparing early."
"It's five taels of silver per semester. If you pay it annually, it's ten taels per year."
Bai Wanwan reported the amount in a steady tone, "This money, in addition to tuition, also covers the child's three meals at the academy and his daily pens, ink, paper, and inkstone. No extra money is needed."
When the lady heard this, she felt more at ease. Five taels of silver per semester, including food and expenses, was more cost-effective than hiring a teacher at home.
Not to mention that there are so many precious calligraphy and paintings and such a good environment in the academy.
She immediately smiled and said, "This price is fair! When I get back, I'll tell my husband to name the child right away!"
Lin Zao Zao sneered and said, "Who would dare to leave a child here? If he gets abused, who knows what will happen!"
I saw dozens of children practicing martial arts in the yard. One child didn't want to practice and kept crying.
Everyone looked in the direction of the voice and saw a martial arts instructor in shorts. He said sternly, "Why don't you want to come and practice martial arts?"
The child sobbed, tears streaming down his cheeks: "My mother sent me here to learn book knowledge, not to learn kung fu from you!"
Coach Wu's voice suddenly rose, and his eyes swept over the timid children around him:
"Don't think that being able to write is a skill! You will be taking the imperial examinations in the future, and you will have to sleep in the open air along the way.
You have to sit in the examination room for a whole day. Without a healthy body, you won’t be able to endure it!
Besides, the Kung Fu I teach you can protect yourself. If you really encounter danger, it will be much more useful than the pen in your hand!"
He paused, his tone becoming even firmer: "If you really don't want to learn martial arts, go back and tell your mother that you don't need to come to the academy tomorrow!"
Lin Zao Zao beside him sneered and said:
"Did you see this? This academy still wants to accept students?
Parents send their children to school for no reason, but they force them to learn martial arts and even chase them away at every turn. Isn't this offensive?"
A lady echoed in a low voice:
"That's right, I also think this rule is too harsh.
The child is so young, how can he withstand daily martial arts training?"
Bai Wanwan waited for them to finish speaking before speaking softly:
"Ladies, our academy does have a rule that all students must learn martial arts for one hour every day. This is compulsory and there is no room for negotiation.
If you feel you can't bear this hardship, there's really no need to force yourself to stay here."
She changed the subject and glanced at the martial arts instructor who was moving swiftly in the training ground. Her voice became clearer:
“But I have to make it clear to you all, these martial arts coaches we invited are not ordinary people.
Some of them had served as soldiers in the military camp, and some were famous martial artists in the martial arts world. All of them were top masters.
If children learn from them, they can not only develop a strong physique, but also have an extra layer of protection in the future when they cope with the hardships of the imperial examinations or encounter unexpected situations.
This is not harsh, it is our long-term plan for students.”
She pointed to a few older children on the other side of the training ground.
They were practicing horse stance with the martial arts instructor. Although sweat was oozing from their foreheads, no one complained, and their standing posture was much straighter than that of ordinary children.
Look at those children. They were afraid of hardship when they first arrived, but aren’t they persevering now?
I feel stronger and more energetic in class. This is the benefit of practicing martial arts."
A lady nodded and said:
"My kid has been here for almost half a year. Not only is he stronger than before, but he's also much more cheerful.
I study and work much more attentively than before."
Bai Wanwan smiled and said:
"This is quite normal. Our college is not comparable to other colleges. We are committed to the all-round development of morality, intelligence and physical fitness.
If you don't want your own children to suffer, then don't send them to us.
We have to endure hardships here, because the older children have to work in the mountains every day."