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Q: What hope is there?(My Sons Education)
My son goes to the same kindergarten which is also my place of work.
To start with we are not rich so going to an international kindergarten is not possible as they cost a lot of money.
2 years ago the new owners took over the kindergarten where I work and they have pretty much turned everything the children do here in to a way of making money.
normal class time is play for a bit eat and sleep and do nothing.
The teachers do not do much with the children at all.
If you want your child to learn you have to pay for extra classes,you even have to pay for a play dough class as the teachers will not put out play dough to play with in the class.
I walked past my sons class today and I saw him and his class sitting at the table they were doing nothing.my son is very bored and he is not in a happy place as he does not do anything at the kindergarten.my son needs a challenge as he is smart.
the teachers do not challenge the children.
The kindergarten is a private kindergarten its owned by a company in Shenzhen called Manha.
Im not sure if the reason the teachers dont do much with the children is because they dont get paid enough or because the have been told not to do anything.
The lack of education here at this kindergarten unless you pay for extra classes is shocking.
I find myself between a rock and a hard place because I teach here and Im also a parent.
I really want to say something but I cant.
my son has never bought home arts and crafts,I have never seen him do any Chinese lesson,he just does not do much at all.kindergarten is meant to fun,painting,sand play,play dough,water play,large motor skills and fine motor skills,role play but its not like this at all.its dull and boring.
I would love to hear your thoughts on this and if you work in a kindergarten or take your child to a kindergarten what is it like?
Don't worry too much, In 1st grade China nearly everything is reviewed. My son is 10, started in a Chinese kindergarten and 4th grade now, everything has worked out great and fine, and it will for you and your kid too. Just be a father who is there teaching and reviewing with your son. It all comes together naturally.
That sucks man, but honestly it's not really surprising. I'm not sure if it's deliberate or just a side effect but that's Chinese education in a nutshell...dull, boring and guaranteed to produce more brain dead drones.
If you know other foreign teachers in kindergartens near you, maybe you could ask them what the kids do.If it looks better maybe move your boy there.
The other thing you could maybe try... I don't know how it would go down with the management but could be worth a try... volunteer your time (assuming you have some that is) for free 'classes'. Get the kids playing with play dough or whatever you feel is best and let the management advertise it however they want. Playing in English or something. They'd probably charge for it but if you can get your son in free as part of the deal it might be worth it.
RobRocks:
I get what you are saying but that really would not go down well here,its all about the money.
I get a staff discount where I work,it comes down to money for us as well.other places cost a lot.
It sucks man!
Honestly, I think the best (perhaps only) thing you can do is to try (somehow) to find some investors (or at least, other dedicated teachers) and open your own school/kindergarten. If you can, you get around the need for a degree (cos you'll be the boss, and thus get an automatic RP/Work Permit), and you control the 'curriculum'.
Robk:
I like this idea, if you can't change someone else's system... then make your own opportunity. If you provide a better service and it shows... parents will all put their children into your school. They already believe that foreign education is better... so it shouldn't be too hard to get the parents signing up.
I feel for you. Have you thought about going back home with your family or to work in another country?
RobRocks:
cant afford to go back,we would need a heck of a lot of money to go back home.
Hotwater:
I think Rob is Aussie. Don't know the rules there but in the U.K, with 1 child, you'd need to earn a minimum of £23K/year (about) to have any chance of getting your non-EU wife a spousal visa. There's other restrictions around that but it's the basics.
Rob. We have talked about this before. It all comes down to your wife's houkou.
Our daughter goes to a local government Kindergarten. And to be honest, it is fantastic. A really good school, and not a foreign teacher within site.
Go to your wife's hometown dude. Get the kid into a free school. A government school.
Alternatively, let me talk to someone. Will we chat you soon.
RobRocks:
I know what you are saying,my wife has a Shenzhen houkou,my boy comes to the same kindergarten where I work.
its not a good place for teachers or education,everything looks good on the outside.
teachers could be doing so much more with the kids,but they only do what the need to do because they dont get paid enough or they just cant be bothered.
Hotwater:
@ Scots. Why work in DG when he works in SZ and wife has local hukou? His kid will get into a local school. The issue is the shit kindergarten.
Robs other problem is a work permit. He can't get one because of the rules.
Don't worry too much, In 1st grade China nearly everything is reviewed. My son is 10, started in a Chinese kindergarten and 4th grade now, everything has worked out great and fine, and it will for you and your kid too. Just be a father who is there teaching and reviewing with your son. It all comes together naturally.
I like some of the solutions I heard, here are a few more:
- if some of the teachers aren't paid enough... maybe talk to them and send a little extra money their way to get them moving... I don't like it but it is China and it is worth it. Maybe have your wife do it so they don't feel weird about dealing with the foreigner
- Alan's solution sounds good if you can swing it
- starting up your own kindergarten sounds good too if you can find the capital
- could you possibly home school him until he is ready for grade 1 and a better school?
Everyday I pass by 2 kindergartens on the outskirts of my city ( not Shenzen though).These kindergaartens are for locals, who live in old ugly houses (common people). I see kids singing, playing, drawing there( gates are open and you can see some of the classrooms.) why not to change a kindergarten?
Hotwater:
I'd agree. If the "teaching" is shit at the private kindergarten then send his Son to the government one.
