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Wang Zheng/Changjiang Times
Wang Ziqi's grandmother carries his desk to school and his older sister carries a chair.
BEIJING – While millions of students all over the world return to school this month, youngsters in one part of China were expected to bring not just pencils and notebooks, but their own desks and chairs when school opened.
As students all over China headed back to class on Monday, the grandmother of 3-year-old Wang Ziqi was spotted carrying a desk in Shunhe, Hubei Province, for the boy’s first day, while his older sister carried a chair for him.
Wang’s case is hardly unique. In Shunhe, there are more than 5,000 students in the town’s primary and middle schools, but the government only supplied 2,000 desks for them, leaving 3,000 children to bring their own from home.
In the town of modest means, for some that required grabbing whatever they could so that they have something to write on, even a coffee table.
Another man in Shunhe, whose son also just started preschool, was reached by telephone for comment. He spoke on the condition of anonymity since he blamed local government corruption for the problems.
Wang Zheng/ Courtesy Changjiang Times
A school boy listens attentively at a coffee table that his family brought from home to his school.
“The central government has money for the school’s facilities,” he said. “But when it comes to us, the money is already gone.”
When a local newspaper, the Changjiang Times, reported on the shortfall in desks, it caused a firestorm of criticism. In response, the local government in Macheng, which oversees the area including Shunhe, said it had already sent 100 desks to help out, and committed over $600,000 to close the budget shortfall.
But people are still asking why it took a media report to get officials to pay attention to this basic government function and questioned whether they would really see more money in local budgets.
“I would rather believe there is a ghost in the world than governments' promises,” one commenter wrote in to the Changjiang Times update that the local government would add more money to the school budget.
Another chimed in, “The project funding has to be transparent, otherwise it is not even enough money to spend on officials' drinks…”
When NBC called Xiang Mingxiu, the only teacher at Changchong Village primary school in Shunhe, she confirmed that some progress had been made –10 desks had been sent to her school. (The other 90 desks the local government said had been sent were apparently distributed to other local schools).
“The desk issue has been solved,” Xiang said. But, she was quick to point out that other problems remained. “We need a way to repair our classrooms. All of the windows are broken and the ceilings and walls are covered in holes.”
The government may not pay for the windows, but at least a few of the students in her school won’t be expected to bring their own desk from home.
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Leave a Comment:
Lol, how would you like to be the children of these kids?
When I was your age, I had to carry my own desk to school...
uphill...both ways
Take a lesson from the Chinese, Feisty Redhead. You are the greediest of them all with your iPhones and iPads and dinners/movies out, alcohol, cigarettes, electronics, etc. blaming everyone but yourself for your lot in life.
Meanwhile people with a work ethic and resourcefulness get the job done no matter what.
Wow, we angry or what?
This is what is in store for the United States if the conservatives have their way, they only thing they will supply are the fairytale laden text books direct from the Texas Board of "Education".
And just who are you talking to vglance, an empty chair? Feisty hasn't posted on this thread. You seem somewhat obsessed, almost stalker like with a pinch of senile old man.
vglance definitely has a fixation issue on the Fiesty. Probably has dreams and night sweats over it.
BodyDouble ..... the only thing missing from your observation is that the neocons would have our schoolkids sittin in one-room school houses if they had their way.
I figured she'd chime in. But alas, I guess she only comments on threads that are handed to her ahead of the public where she can be the first to post. No other explanation unless she camps the site all day long spamming the refresh button ready to copy and paste in her pre-typed rhetoric.
Go ahead and say what you want, you know either one of those scenarios has to be reality and nothing is more sad than either of those scenarios. Defending someone as evil and pathetic as her only speaks volumes about your character.
At least they carry their desks stylishly. Did you notice the Crocs and stilettos (so what if they're knockoffs) in the photo?
Evil, really? And if we question your rather bias opinion our character is in question? LoL yeah okay.
This looks like the model Romney and Ryan will be using for their vision of public education in America. Of course the kids would also have to bring their own bible. because actual school books with real knowledge would be banned.
vglance it seems you have lost some sleep over this on more than one occasion. I have never really concerned myself with why she is first, there always seems to be room left for me to make my comment when I desire to do so. I guess I am just not that competitive of a person, being first never meant that much to me. Perhaps if we spent less time competing and more time cooperating then the world would be a better place.
I guess your idea of evil is slightly different than mine, to me an evil person would be someone who hurts animals for fun, exploits poor people for profit, uses a position of power to molest children, etc. Oh wait, I just described 99.9% of conservatives.
Would you all stop. This is why there is a growing number of independents out there, people of one party or the other dramatize EVERYTHING!! Romney this, Obama that...you really, honestly think the U.S. would get this bad...get real. You all are part of why this country is ailing, if we all tried to FIX the problem rather than find out who to blame we would be much better off. I hope you all have a great day bashing each other over the head.
Confucious say, "Carry desk make back strong." ???
Don't they have folding tables there, maybe even ones made in China? I had no idea about this going on ... yikes!
"In parts of China, BYO school supplies include desks..."
Wouldnt be surprised...did you know that about every other 5th critter in your sphere of life is Chinese? If ya ask me, that's pretty creepy...
Ben64D-3144466 post 1.11
Ben I respect your position but I also have to say if you truly believe that the Republican Party in America is NOT the problem, then my friend you just have not been paying attention. The damage this self serving political party has caused our country will take decades to repair and EVERY American will end up paying for their greed.
While most comments seem to deride China's educational system, they are doing something right. China completely OUTSCORES American students in math, science and reading.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/27/education-olympics-how-do_n_1707968.html
Poland the Slovak Republic and several S. American countries had NO Problem out scoring American 15 year old students in Math, Science and Reading. China came in first for all three subjects.
I would gladly give up a coffee table to offer a student an excellent education - the US spends more per student than any other nation - I guess desks are expensive! Perhaps we should spend our money on quality teachers and books - not pretty schools.
Feel free to poke fun at China with the "I carried my desk to school," etc... the laughing will stop when your children and grandchildren are working at low paying jobs with Chinese supervisors.
Yeah I see this headline saying "In some parts of The U.S." in five to ten years. But I no longer believe it is a republican or democrat issue. It is a bureaucrat issue.
so what good is your party doing? democrats are just as bad as you say the republicans are, read your own parties history and not from their mouth, ask them why their website is missing key information of their past and why they take credit for things they were always against, like civil rights, free black men, the union, and a slew of other things. i bet you are not aware that the confederate dems created the KKK to kill blacks and repubs.
our schools are heading this way under government control, already teachers are telling kids to bring supplies that should be provided by the school, schools are wasting money big time on things that have nothing to do with education and admin salaries are way too high, along with the perks unions extorted from the public. the government also waste large sums of money that were suppose to go to schools but you know how politicians and money mix. the department of education has been a complete failure and as always the government has been a complete failure along with the drones that vote for more of the same.
vglance: You won't see Feisty on any thread other than First Read because she's be banned if she did. I'm told First Read isn't policed like the other articles so she can get away with her tripe there, but no where else. I usually skip over her comments anyway.
hope they get a good education so they can work 12 hr. days in those cheap chinese factories...for like 18.00 dollars a day...lol...obama ain't got us there yet but he's try'n...
Body Double: You think conservatives want less education? Maybe if the school board didn't spend so much time on " who has two mommies" or what kind of birth control should be given out to eight-year olds, then maybe you would have a point.
The schools like to waste money on stupid programs like these for all the " enlightened" people and don't have any money left over for books and desks.
No wonder the Chinese are out doing Americans in math and science. I bet they don't spend their days looking at studies on how children should treat other gay youths and the how sex is given a green light if there's a condom involved.
Here in Colorado there are a bunch of rural students who would like "prettier schools." Like schools with glass in the windows instead of cardboard, roofs that don't leak on the students when it rains or snows, and some schools can't even afford to repair their furnaces in the winter.
But the local tax base won't support these "luxuries."
It's what the GOP calls the 'good ol' days'.
Won't be long for the United States
I'm sure Paul Ryan is taking notes and will become just another line item of their budget cuts, that they can't talk about until after the election, of course.
"No child's desk left behind"
@Tranquil Nihilist: Hold on, I have some apples and oranges for you to compare...
Amused: Cmon already. I'm not even a Republican supporter but are you really going to argue Ryan's ability to work a budget? Or is this just a democrat blindly bashing a republican because that is what American politics is about?
As for your "after the election discussions", wasn't Obama caught on mic discussion with a foreign diplomat how he had to get through elections before he could publically discuss?
Kaymer, I don't question Ryan's ABILITY to work a budget - I'm just convinced he's going to cut everything from the education to the environment before he even considers raising taxes on the rich (keep in mind, they're much lower now than when Bush entered office).
Kayner - Guilty as charged and damned proud to be a GOPher basher. I could never argue that Ryan was capable of working a budget but its possible he might be able to learn to flush a toilet. Note I did say "possible or "might". Absolutely correct about that damn on-mic episode but you have to understand the Repukes(glad to hear your not one of them, your probably a smug high minded and ivory tower Indie, but still not a pubbie, good for you, if you are a Libertarian don't try to explain your mental state to me, couldn't help you if I wanted to, who has that much time to waste) are still caught up in a time warp of a "Commie under every rock" and the Iron Curtain is in cold storage to be deployed on a moments notice(maybe we could buy it from them real cheap to put up on both our southern and north border areas to make the frightened of their shadow Republicants feel more secure), who would go ape shift if the POTUS were to try to negotiate removing cap guns from our arsenal, those mushrooms must be kept in the dark or at least under their hidey hole rocks, just saying. So thanks for listening and hope you have a great day!
WisconsinDad - Try some Prozac. Your defeatist attitude is so depressing! Your physician can help if you seek help.
your mindset is the very reason why politicians have so much control over this country. you are nothing but a democrat drone who does what they are told without free thought or question. you are beneath everyone.
the department of education has been a failure and we will be asking more of our students while the government, admins, union bosses and teachers take more from us, we will continue to decline in general education and fall behind compared with the rest of the world. this is not a defeatist attitude, this is reality coming from the government at all levels, government is not successful because it creates success, government is successful when the people create success
Well, allow me to thank you for recognizing I have a mindset. You, sadly are of a mindset that is warped and the brainwashing employed has had the desired effect of poisoning what little humanity you retain from birth. What I know to be true is that I shall never be beneath those Neanderthals of the right for surely that is rock bottom and the lowest anyone could ever be. Take for instance your nonsensical ramblings about education. Teachers can only teach, children must want to learn and parents must instill the importance of education. Foreign students still eagerly come to our institutions of higher learning. If you are dissatisfied with your low paying job, I'm sure you'll feel even worse if Romoney is elected. I will throw you a quarter if I see you on a street corner as I drive by.
Funny Amused, you are exactly the type of person that fits the profile that the Republican'ts laugh about. You have not made 1 argument yet, other than telling people to take prozac or calling them names. You seem to think that you have a better platform for discussion than you really do. Exactly what I continuously see from the the Democratic gang. Both sides are equally POS and until our citizens can shave their sheep wool off themselves and think using their own brain and not go out and just claim a side because you like the bright colors, this country is going nowhere whether its with Mitt or Obama. Have a great day.
Kayner - Liking bright colors is a bad thing? I would have to assume your stuck on black, grey or gloomy. I was offering advise to another post then onto the scene you came offering what to a discussion? I've answered your posts 2.4 and 2.5. Who says I have to argue? Its evident your unhappy with both political parties. So what's the solution other than to claim people need to use their brain. Aren't you just offering an amorphous rant? Being socially unengaged is your choice. And have a nice day!
..... Sad day in the neighborhood when you need to supply your own desk. May as well be home schooled. Oh wait, school is a free daycare for some people....
Only in America Karen...It's actually well respected (by parents and students) in some foreign countries
I agree WisDad!. I guess I shouldn't have put this in here. Only in the US. Sorry and thanks for correcting me.
And what about China?
I wouldn't surprise about the situation. The Communist party of China is extremely corrupted and spend tax payers money into useless "face" projects and getting "secondary lovers".
Kinda like building a $60 million high school football stadium, ain't it?
Yes,They spend their taxpayers money making loans to the United States.The United States spends their tax payers dollars giving it away to third world countries.Now which country is smarter?
One thing these kids will have for sure is a huge appreciation for whatever resources they can get their hands on. The "plenty available at hand" syndrome doesn't necessarily translate to an army of genius-es graduating from school. I can guarantee that the products of these schools will be orders of magnitude better prepared for the real world than the spoilt celebrities that the schools in our good old US of A produce. While no one is advocating a "forced poverty" syndrome, a little bit of a hardship can indeed go a long way in making one's education and upbringing complete.
I wouldn't surprise about the situation. The Communist party of China is extremely corrupted and spend tax payers money into useless "face" projects and getting "secondary lovers".
Are you sure that was China and not the Tea Party Idealized State?
Only liberals like to spend money on "gay" programs for youths and "birth control for little kids" and then have the nerve to say its the republicans fault for not having enough money for books!
Note to parents:
Remember this story when you are whining about how poor your kids teacher/school system is
Yes it won't be long before the united states will be the same.
this website with their acronyms. BYO, bring your own. they can't spell it out. they have to use one for everything. makes you feel like you can't read anymore if you don't know some acronym they just made up. and spell words wrong that's another story. along with every time you view a video you have to see a commercial. its worse than TV.
All the acronyms used in the "print"media is due to the current state of consumerism. We need our information fast and it has to be done so it grabs our attention quick. For examples, just look and compare music videos and other videos from the 80's and today. Back then videos would show long shots/clips while todays vids have up to 5 clips in 1 second.
This would never happen in the United States. People would be complaining about the Guvmant not providing a perfect school building and a laptop or an IPAD, not to mention free lunches and free transportation. People here just don't value education as much here. No wonder we are behind.
@SF DAD: Yes, damn the united states and our standards!
This will be all our kids if the GOP get in with their grandious idea's of cutting to shreads school and education funding!!!!!
OBAMA 2012!!!
I was about to say the same. It's the tea party's approach to teachers and schools. Tear them down and fire them all. Let the church do it!!!!!!!!Of course not many people really goes to church any more so there is more than enough room for students.
I can hear Ryan stumping for them now "Desks in school? Even China doesn't do that! That's socialism! And books? You got a bible, that's enough! Science and knowledge is for those wicked atheists!"
All hail the Job Creators! Taxes are for the little people! Let's go bomb some brown people!!!!!!
I'd venture to say that if any the the students were in training for the Olympics, or any other competitive arena where China is represented, the money would flow in by the truckloads!
In China, and perhaps in any other place on the planet where low-income/poor people live, spending money is a priority issue for the government - The people at the bottom always seem to lose out!!
Now wait a minute your starting to make this sound like the United States. Were the government spends our hard earned dollars and the middle class disappears. I think you've got a champaign slogan going there!!
All that needs to be done is for a major company like Apple or HP to develop a desk with trademark patents and China will make cheaper ones and the local districts will be able to buy more than enough desks.
Shameful, but I'm guessing from the way the article is written that the authors haven't spent a whole lot of time researching conditions in our own country's own decaying inner city schools in a time of teabaggery.
Sure, there might be desks (they were, fortunately, bought back when there was a real budget and they last a long time), but there may not be glass on the windows, the roof may have gaping holes in it, classes may take place on the floor, in the hallways, and you might get told to bring your toilet paper in case you want to use the unbearably decrepit plumbing (all comments based on real, recently reported conditions).
Here's an idea. Open a Home Depot in every province. Hold a kids project day every Saturday. Teach them how to make a desk and a chair. Win-win for everyone. Problem solved.
That's only wise in Canadia.
Oooooh yeahhh! Ain't communism and socialism just soooo great?
That could be you or your children someday! A vote for Obama is a vote for socialism.
Obviously you never were educated by your wise comment foolish one!!!!!! It is you that lives in a haze of smoke, now put the pipe down, put your teeth in and come on out of your double wide and take a nice cleansing breath of fresh air.
@liberal You need to educate y,ourself and look up the definition of socialism
The United States kids will have to be doing this soon too I'm sure, since they have been cutting funding to school. By golly if we want our people educated right?
If our giant corporations and uber rich individuals in the world were smart, they would invest in our public schools to make sure we have the finest in the world by each donating to technology in the schools. It would do nothing but provide them with very qualified young people to work for them in the future and would ultimately raise their profits in the long run.
Unfortunately, too many people who don't have children of their own, haven't had children or have raised theirs and now their children are grown, feel that it isn't their responsibility. It's all of our responsibility. If you can't donate money to your kid's public school, you should at least donate your time; at least a week of your time per year.
The high school my kids went to was outfitted with technology throughout because of companies like Intel and Microsoft and it had a high focus on technology types of careers. Kids have the opportunity to graduate from there with the knowledge to be able to obtain certifications that would allow them to land a $50k/yr + job right out of high school.
I'm childless and pay taxes for kids public education.But at 61 years old why am I still required to pay.It's obvious to me that most kids in public school are barely skating by as most can't land a job at a popsicle stand when they graduate.
We can't even get kids to bring pens or paper to class
Take a good look because this is where we will be when Obama is done with us. 23 million out of work. 1.4 million businesses bankrupt. 1 in 7 on foodstamps. Gas prices doubbled. Barack Obama did build that !
When I was a kid I had to walk 27 miles uphill both ways every day to school. I am so old that our blackboard was a cave wall and we had to be careful not to step in dinosaur poop. But on the more serious side it makes you realize that bad as it may be we here in the United States have a much higher standard of living than the people in all of the developing countries combined included. It certainly makes me appreciate what I have.
Communism the greatest failed experiment in the history of the world.
If I didn't know better, the above photos could pass for Camden, New Jersey.
Well.. the main high school in Trenton has portions of collapsed ceiling, water pouring onto kids' heads, no glass on some windows, and some classes take place in the hall, on the floor... They do have desks,however. They bought those a long time ago, back when their state hadn't gone bankrupt yet (or, at least, wasn't being run by RNC superhero Chris Christie).
So the kids have to bring their own desks and chairs. Just goes to show how dedicated they are to getting an education, and it is no wonder they are beating us academically.
To them, school is taken very seriously. It makes a huge difference in the kind of life they will have.
I'm sure they are Required to go to school.
T. S. Eliot. This is not my responsibility.
Jeff-3672704: your comments do not seem germaine to the story. Perhaps you could put them where the sun don't shine. Lack of school desks in China has nothing to do with President Obama.
Oh yes it does. He'll help provide them after the election. He was the one that said that. And to a world leader at that! Go Obama, go to ...
Their government takes money to advertisement on New York Times Square.
see in china - we poor - we BYO / DIY- government don't care !!
in america - we poor - we BITCH - we rich -we bitch - we in the middle - we bitch.
and republicans bitch and democrats bitch !!! - congress don't bitch , just do nothing !!!