CFL Education Supports China’s Left-Behind Children

6 September 2024

“In China, large numbers of adults leave remote rural areas for work, but when they move to developing urban areas, children are left behind” 

I wanted to share a story from a rural school in the Henan province with an incredible Principal that has really resonated with me. This school has discovered a new way of teaching thanks to ACTAsia and it is witnessing a huge shift in behaviour among its students. More of this story later but first I must give some background to why I am so concerned for these students. 

I do not envy the ‘Gen Z’ generation who are growing up with enormous responsibilities and challenges ahead. This generation is witnessing challenges including human conflict, climate change, human health concerns post the pandemic, loss of vital biodiversity and global plastic pollution. The issues that have been created by the current generation weigh heavy on their shoulders and it is our responsibility to educate and support this generation to be global citizens. I strongly believe that Gen Z need to have a better understanding about the issues that matter, so that they can make informed choices going forward and make positive societal change and therefore create suitable solutions.

Education in the east vs the west 

There is a huge gulf in attitudes and approaches to learning in the east compared to the west. Whilst each has its place, it is widely recognised that schooling in many parts of Asia places a heavy emphasis on the children’s academic achievements and it does not seek to educate the ‘whole child’. Learning by rote is very common practice in the east: teachers talk and students listen. As we know from educational research by Blooms Taxonomy it is by interacting and evaluating that learning is truly embedded. Education should not be just about academic grades – it needs to address human behaviour and well-being issues in order to raise the next generation with positive mindsets who are aware of the issues that surround us. We need to focus on raising a new generation who is academically and emotionally equipped to address such issues. 

In today’s world of fast-growing Artificial Intelligence, I also fear that future generations are so reliant on technology and there is not enough emphasis placed on critical thinking and human interaction. This is why we need programmes like ACTAsia’s award winning Caring for Life (CFL) education for children.

Caring for Life – Humane Education

Humane education which is often referred to as ‘character education’ in United States and ‘PSHE’ (Personal, Social, Health and Economic) in the UK, is widely taught in the west but is not taught in Asian schools. Although moral education is taught in many Asian countries, the content of these courses often focus mainly on humans and national identity. Indeed, the information is often quite outdated and does not reflect today’s worldwide challenges.   Without these lessons, children are not taught vital life skills such as empathy, compassion, the importance of protecting animals and the environment and how all living creatures are interconnected. ACTAsia’s CFL programme aims to help Asian children, aged between 6 and 12 years old, to develop a sense of compassion and responsibility for animals, people and the environment. Taught over six years and based on UNESCO’s Four Pillars of Education, the curriculum encompasses social welfare and citizenship, animal welfare and environmental issues. 

‘Left behind’ children

Educating the ‘whole child’ is particularly relevant for ‘left behind’ children in rural areas of China. I am thrilled that much has been done by the Chinese authorities and charities to address the academic concerns of these children but without parental role models we are witnessing a gap in emotional intelligence, compassion and empathy. In China, large numbers of adults leave remote rural areas for work, but when they move to developing urban areas, children are left behind. 

As a result of this mass migration, there are now a staggering estimated 61 million ‘left- behind’ children living in remote rural areas without their parents. In addition, children grow up in rural areas where the beauty of nature and their relationship with native animals is also often overlooked and not appreciated. ACTAsia’s CFL programme plays a critical role in the development of these children, helping to nurture the moral guidance they need. In a world without parents, learning to be kind and compassionate to all living things is key to a healthy upbringing.

Introducing a pioneering Principal 

The aforementioned Principal heads up a small rural school and heard about our Earth Day program and embraced the activities on offer such as ‘Zero Waste’. The Principal recognised that the students’ personal development was not being sufficiently addressed through the academic process and that many of the ‘left behind’ students were often introverted and did not interact as well with other students. She also noted that these children relied too much on mobile phones and did not have a wider understanding of nature and the world in which they lived. 

Following the success of the Earth Day events, the Principal now wants to introduce the CFL programme into the school curriculum so her students can benefit from the wide-range of CFL lessons throughout the academic year. She is thrilled that the lessons are starting to correct the imbalance. She is also thrilled that the CFL curriculum includes all the topics she desperately wants to teach the students including a strong focus on animals, people and the environment. Outcomes have been incredibly positive with a huge shift in attitudes and behaviour from the ‘left behind’ students who are fully involved with the lessons. I am deeply touched by this little primary school in a remote area with less 100 students who are in need of love, compassion and care, but also for the principal’s pioneering vision to strengthen her student’s learning needs. Indeed, the Principal said that she has been looking for a curriculum like ACTAsia’s CFL for a very long time and she is delighted to have now found it and to start putting it into practice.

Extending our educational reach

I am so excited that we now have an additional seven schools (and in particular rural schools) wanting to join our awarding winning CFL education programmes but at the same time this is a reminder of just how much still needs to be done. I am desperate to share our vision and build on this success and roll out our CFL programme into more rural areas of China as we have a fantastic opportunity to help these children. ACTAsia’s vision is for a compassionate world for animals, people and the environment but such societal change requires funding and that is something we strive towards every day. 

If you’re inspired by our vision and wish to make a positive change, please consider donating to ACTAsia. Your contribution directly fuels our efforts to educate individual children across Asia. Every donation counts, no matter the size. Help us further our cause and ensure a kinder future for animals, people, and our planet.

Pei Su is a Chinese sociologist and Founder and Chief Executive Officer of ACTAsia, an international NGO established in 2006. She is a strong advocate of education and training as the main vehicle for long term sustainability, aiming to inspire people to understand and appreciate the world we share, and to take responsibility for the protection and preservation of its inhabitants and resources.