Đọc, đọc nữa, đọc mãi

nỗ lực 13 năm của hiệu trưởng Zhao Guobin nhằm thúc đẩy văn hóa đọc ở học sinh tiểu học đón nhận nhiều tán thưởng xen lẫn nghi ngờ.

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In Boluochi, a rural town in Chaoyang County in the northeastern Liaoning province, an abandoned (bỏ hoang) cafeteria that has been converted (chuyển đổi) into a school library stands as the result of Boluochi Elementary School principal Zhao Guobin’s endeavor (nỗ lực) over the course of 13 years.

Most students in the county’s rural elementary schools (trường tiểu học) come from economically disadvantaged families (gia đình có điều kiện kinh tế khó khăn), as those with financial means typically send their children to schools in the county seat. Zhao, a local from the county, embarked on an experiment to foster (nâng cao) a reading culture based on two principles (nguyên tắc). Firstly, he believed that reading, often affordable (giá cả phải chăng) and accessible, could benefit all, even if they had limited resources. Secondly, he simply hoped for children to grow into fulfilled (toàn diện) individuals rather than strive for exceptionalism (chủ nghĩa biệt lệ).

...The library not only offers books but also a tranquil (yên tĩnh) environment that allows children to concentrate (tập trung). Library staff member Sui Lijun keeps records showing that, each semester, around 2,500 books are borrowed by the school’s 500-plus teachers and students. Sui, a woman in her forties, took on this job at the library five years ago to supplement (bổ sung) her income from farming. The busiest time of the day is from two in the afternoon until just before classes end. “Every day, classes come both for private reading and sharing activities. Sometimes, two to three classes visit all at once."

....Authorities (chính quyền) are also striving (nỗ lực) to make changes in the country’s education system that is heavily exam-oriented (chú trọng thi cử). In the past few years, Zhao has observed  (quan sát) the benefits of certain policies (chính sách). In September 2020, eight departments, including the Ministry of Education, stated that “school, principal, and teacher evaluations must not solely rely on zhongkao and gaokao results or admission rates into higher-level schools to counter negative trends.” The implementation (thực hiện) of the “double reduction” policy has afforded students more time for reading, seemingly loosening the restraints (ràng buộc) that had prevented Zhao’s initiative from reaching its full potential. 

source: Sixth Tone,