Chinese educators visit R.I. school
Kelly McGee - Turnto10.com [3/4/09]

COVENTRY, R.I.—Students should value their education, a prominent educator from China told students at Coventry High School on Tuesday.
Fung Zhi Jian, the administrator of the prestigious Beijing National Day School, has been visiting schools around the region as part of a China Exchange Initiative to learn more about what Americans value in education.
“This is an opportunity for the Chinese educator to come to our school and see how American students learn and how American teachers teach,“ said Mike Hobin of Coventry High School.
Fung said education is seldom taken for granted in China.
“Education in China is mainly focused on the basic skills and knowledge. In the U.S.A., it’s really focused on the student’s ability and how they can use their knowledge,“ Fung said through an interpreter.
Tobin said Chinese students are given a free education until grade 9 and then after have to pay a small fee to continue through Grade 12. After that students much take an entrance exam to go on to colleges and universities.
“I think about it all the time. How lucky we are to have the education system, that we have here,“ said Coventry student Seamus Feenely.
“We need to take it seriously as possible because it’s a really good opportunity for us,“ said Coventry student Casey Cloutier.
Art, music and physical education classes are not offered in many Chinese schools, learn about its value in a well-rounded education.
“Chinese students have more books than here. They have more homework and more lessons in the classroom. Here students, from what I see, they have more pleasantries in life. They can enjoy life and do sports,“ Fung said.
Fung believes academics come first, but enrichment programs could have a place in his school.
The Chinese educators continue their tour of Rhode Island with a visit to the State House on Wednesday with the Rhode Island School Superintendents Association.