Chapter 6: The State of Education
Lao Can paid attention to the state of education. In this turbulent era, education also faced many problems. Many schools could not operate normally due to insufficient funding.
Traditional private schools still existed but could no longer adapt to the new era. The content they taught was outdated, and their methods were backward, unable to cultivate truly useful talent.
Although some new-style schools had been established, their numbers were limited, and their quality varied. Some schools indeed taught new knowledge, but more schools were merely to meet the requirements of the imperial court and did not truly bring about actual change.
Lao Can also saw the inequality in education. Children from wealthy families could receive good education, while children from poor families had no opportunity. This inequality solidified social classes and hindered social progress.
Lao Can believed that education was the foundation of national revitalization. Only by reforming education and universalizing education could truly useful talent be cultivated and national development be promoted. He recorded all these views in his notebook.