Children take part in outdoor activity with the guidance of teacher at Beijing Primary School in Beijing, capital of China, July 19, 2021. (Xinhua/Peng Ziyang)
VOLUNTARY PARTICIPATION
Teachers and students both took part in the program voluntarily. Li Mingxin principal of the Beijing Primary School, said more than 100 teachers volunteered, but only 40 of them were needed.
Chen Chenliang, a sports teacher at the school, took the initiative to take part in the daycare service.
"It's a good idea to gather children and do exercise together in summer," said Chen, adding that he thought it's a brand new experience for him to teach students at different ages. Chen mentioned that three other sports teachers would complete the 12-day service, with each of them providing three days of daycare services.
Daycare service provided by schools is conducive to reducing safety accidents like drowning and electric shock, cutting down children's use of electronic devices, and relieving the pressure of parents, said Wang Zhongwu, a professor of the School of Philosophy and Social Development, Shandong University.
However, the service needs coordination from more organizations such as the Communist Youth League, the Association for Science and Technology, the Women's Federation and social organizations. Apart from daycare schools, science and technology museums, children's activity centers and other off-campus public education places should open to minors free of charge or at preferential prices.
"Regulations at national and local levels are needed to clarify the participants, measures and policies of the program, to help schools and teachers accomplish their new duties," Wang added.
Experts also pointed out that daycare service schools cannot replace parents of the responsibility for their children's summer education. Parents should spare time to accompany their children during holidays.
