When Tao Xingzhi graduated from Nanjing Jinling University with the first place in 19 14, he went across the ocean to study in the United States. I studied municipal administration at first, but later I felt that there could be no real new harmony without real mass education, so I entered Columbia Normal University to focus on education, hoping to save the country and the people through education.
19 17 When Tao Xingzhi returned to China, a new cultural movement under the banner of democracy and science was launched in China. Tao Xingzhi actively participated in this movement, actively advocated new education and reformed old education. Therefore, on the one hand, he introduced western educational theories, on the other hand, he also opposed blindly imitating other countries, and put forward scientific methods to carry out educational reform and innovation, thus embarking on a new road to realize the popularization and modernization of education in China.
At first, Tao Xingzhi focused on civilian education. During this period, he deeply felt that the fundamental problem of education reform in China lies in the countryside. He said: "China is based on agriculture, and people living in rural areas account for 85% of the national population. Civilian education is a movement to the people, that is, to the countryside. " To popularize education, it is necessary to let civilian education go to the countryside and carry out rural education campaigns.
However, the development of rural education is by no means easy, and it needs a group of people with lofty ideals to fight for it wholeheartedly. Therefore, Tao Xingzhi called on people to join the movement and "create a new life for the rural areas of China wholeheartedly." He also made a great wish to overcome all kinds of difficulties, raise 1 million funds, recruit 1 million comrades, advocate 1 million schools and transform 1 million villages. In order to establish a qualified team of rural teachers, he and Zhao Shuyu, a professor at Southeast University, founded the Rural Normal School in 1926. The school site was chosen in Xiaozhuang (formerly Xiaozhuang), a remote and desolate suburb of Nanjing. This is the world-famous Xiaozhuang Normal School, and Tao Xingzhi himself is the principal.
Xiaozhuang Normal School was born in the gunfire of successive victories in the Northern Expedition. In Xiaozhuang Normal School, Tao Xingzhi took off his suit and put on sandals, and worked and lived with teachers and students to explore a new way of education in China. That is, in Xiaozhuang Teachers College, Tao Xingzhi transformed Dewey's educational theory and formed his "life education" theory. Its main points are: "life is education", "society is school", "teaching integration" and "learning by doing". According to the theory of life education, under the guidance of teachers, Xiaozhuang normal students make their own land reclamation, build their own huts, do whatever they want, learn whatever books they read, go out of school and join the village peasant association to fight against local tyrants and evil gentry. In this way, school education is combined with social life and productive labor. Its purpose is to cultivate students' practical ability and innovative ability, and to cultivate students into rural teachers with farmers' skills, scientific mind and social spirit. Because the theory of life education basically conforms to China's national conditions, it still has reference significance in the current education reform in China.
From 65438 to 0932, Tao Xingzhi founded the Shanghai Engineering Corps in Shanghai by summing up the experience of Xiaozhuang Normal School. Engineers are social education organizations, schools, factories and small societies. The purpose of "keeping fit through work, learning as knowledge and keeping in good health through the league" was formulated, and local farmers' children were recruited to join the league to learn cultural knowledge in the morning and participate in productive labor in the afternoon. In the evening, members of the children's group invite local farmers to the tea garden operated by the engineering group to talk about world events, and members of the children's group tell stories and be small gentlemen. Later, this kind of "instant knowledge exchange" was widely implemented in more than 20 provinces and cities across the country, which played a great role in popularizing education and eliminating illiteracy in the 1930 s and 1940 s
The outbreak of the December 29th Movement marked the arrival of a new upsurge in resisting Japan and saving the nation. At this time, Tao Xingzhi participated in the establishment of the Shanghai Cultural Salvation Association and the National Disaster Education Association with full patriotic enthusiasm, and also initiated the establishment of the Salvation Federation with famous people such as Soong Ching Ling and Zou Taofen. 1In July, 936, he was appointed as "national diplomatic envoy" by the National Salvation Association, and visited 26 countries in Europe, Asia and Africa to win the support of overseas Chinese and international friends for China's anti-Japanese national salvation struggle. On the eve of going abroad, when passing through Hong Kong, he jointly issued the Declaration of Unity and Anti-aggression with Shen Junru and Zhang Naiqi, agreeing with China's idea of establishing an anti-Japanese national United front by the Producers' Party and calling for the second national cooperation. This declaration shook the world, greatly inspired the people of the whole country, and was warmly supported by the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and Mao Zedong.
After the beginning of the Anti-Japanese War, Tao Xingzhi found that many children with special talents were deprived of training opportunities because of poverty and humiliation. With the support of Zhou Enlai and many party member, he founded Yucai School in July 1999. This school is located near Chongqing, and the students are all excellent children with special talents. According to students' interests and conditions, the school employs a large number of experts and scholars as teachers to teach students in accordance with their aptitude. They not only teach students to learn cultural lessons, but also give them labor education, professional basic knowledge education and revolutionary thought education, so that education can be closely combined with productive labor, social practice and revolutionary practice, thus applying the theory of life education to the practice of cultivating "talented people" and making Yucai School a wonderful flower in the history of modern education in China.
After War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression's victory, Tao Xingzhi devoted himself to the mass struggle against civil war, peace, dictatorship and democracy with greater political enthusiasm. The social university he founded in Chongqing has become a bastion of the democratic revolution and an important base for educating young people on Marxism-Leninism in Kuomintang areas. As the director of the Democratic Education Committee of the Central Committee of the NLD, he published articles such as Outline of Democratic Education, Popularization of Democratic Education and Social University Movement, which mercilessly exposed and criticized the fascist education promoted by the Kuomintang and put forward four principles of life education, namely, democratic education, scientific education, mass education and creative education.
1In April, 946, Tao Xingzhi came to Shanghai, continued to struggle for peace and democracy, and made many efforts to establish a social university and relocate a Yucai school in Shanghai. Soon, the news that famous democracy fighters Li Gongpu and Wen Yiduo were assassinated by Kuomintang agents came, and Tao Xingzhi was extremely angry. He gave speeches everywhere, calling for "peace is the most urgent, democracy is the first". Later, I heard that Kuomintang agents had listed him as the next assassination target. He was fearless and prepared for "I'm waiting for the third shot". He still cries for justice again and again, and always stands at the forefront of the democratic movement. On July 25th, Tao Xingzhi died of sudden cerebral hemorrhage due to overwork and overstimulation.
After the death of Tao Xingzhi, extensive mourning activities were carried out all over the country. Today, people are still studying his thoughts and learning his moral character. At present, the China Tao Xingzhi Research Association has been established in Beijing, and its works have been published as the Complete Works of Tao Xingzhi, and a large number of monographs and papers have emerged to study Tao Xingzhi's educational thoughts. In fact, Tao Xingzhi's educational thought has become one of the important foundations for establishing the theoretical system of educational science with China characteristics. Tao Xingzhi's precious wealth is an excellent reference for China's educational construction and reform.
First, he refused the appointment of the headmaster of the Beiyang warlord government.
From 192 1, Tao Xingzhi, director-general of Ren Zhonghua Education Improvement Society and president of the General Association for the Promotion of Civilian Education, traveled all over the country to conduct universal education. He accompanied Dr. Dewey, American educator Tu Tui and Michael to visit and give lectures in various parts of China, and was interpreted by Tao Xingzhi. Attended the World Conference on Education for All, and presided over the China Education Investigation Seminar in February192/kloc-0. Minister of Education Tang Er, directors of provincial education departments, heads of education associations, representatives of educational academic groups, university presidents and department heads attended the meeting. Tao Xingzhi's organizational ability and diligence were respected by everyone. 1923 in may, Tang erhe and general manager appointed him as the president of Wuchang higher normal school (predecessor of Wuhan university), but Tao Xingzhi resolutely refused.
He opposed the repeated suppression of the student patriotic movement by the Beiyang warlord government, and he hated those greedy, corrupt, ignorant and selfish warlord bureaucrats. 1910-14 When I was studying in Jinling University, I wrote and lectured many times to publicize the national democratic revolution, and my graduation thesis "* * * and the essence" won the first place. In his view, in order to get an education, China people must be "rich and not lascivious".
Don't be the director of Henan Education Department, but you can help.
1927, Feng Yuxiang, the governor of Henan Province, heard that Tao Xingzhi was running rural education in Xiaozhuang, which was in line with Feng's proposition that everyone could read and write, and personally visited Xiaozhuang School. 65438+At the end of February, Tao Xingzhi was invited to be the director of education in Henan. Although Tao Xingzhi respects Feng Yuxiang very much, he still firmly replied: "I want to devote myself to Xiaozhuang's career!" However, Feng invited him for a short time to help plan the education work in Henan and guide the army's literacy campaign. And promised to donate money to build Xiaozhuang school building.
President Tao held a meeting to let everyone express their opinions and whether to go or not. After discussion and voting, most people are allowed to go, but they must come back three days before the third enrollment on February 1 the following year. Tao Xingzhi went to Henan with Xu Shiqi, and Tao Xingzhi recommended his friend Ling Bing as the director of education in Henan. Tao and Xu inspected the education in Kaifeng, Zhengzhou and other places, formulated the education development plan in Henan, and compiled the soldiers' literacy textbooks. They demonstrate teaching in the army, train teachers, develop soldiers' literacy textbooks, demonstrate teaching in the army and carry out soldiers' literacy campaigns. Feng Yuxiang was well received. Tao Xingzhi lost ten pounds, black and thin, for the establishment of Xiaozhuang School. Now he has recovered. On the eve of Lunar New Year's Eve, he specially took photos and sent them to his mother, wife and children, and wrote a poem preface for Little Shadow Going Home: "My family is looking forward to sending photos to me, but they are afraid to send them for months because of their thin skin. Recently, they have gained 20 Jin, and the color has returned to the old concept. When they see it, they will get great comfort and take special photos. A poem says, "Tomorrow is New Year's Eve, and the day after tomorrow is New Year's Day. Being thousands of miles away, my heart belongs. "My relatives are very happy.
Three days before entering school, Xiaozhuang teachers and students looked out from the hillside of Plough Palace. When the sun was about to set, someone said, "President Tao appeared from the distant road, and everyone cheered and greeted him. The headmaster told everyone that Feng Yuxiang donated 2500 yuan to build three school buildings in Shaanxi and Gansu, Henan, and everyone was overjoyed at the prosperity of Xiaozhuang School.
Declined his alma mater to be the principal twice.
1In the summer of 923, the president of Jinling University resigned. The board of directors and Professor China unanimously agreed that the post of President Kim Dae-jung belongs to Tao Xingzhi, but he declined. Although he loves to cultivate his alma mater, he is busy with the national mass education campaign to realize the ideal of educating people all over China, so he has to give up the post of the well-paid president Kim Dae-jung.
1928 In the summer, Tao Xingzhi was busy expanding Xiaozhuang School. During the fourth enrollment, Chen Yuguang, Tao Xingzhi's classmate and president of Jinling University, had a conflict with religious organizations because Jin Da was taken back by China. Seeing the famous Tao Xingzhi lifting stones barefoot, he was very distressed, so he suggested to the board of directors that Tao Xingzhi should be the president of Jinling University. But Tao Xingzhi rejected the proposal.
Tao Xingzhi cares about his alma mater. 1927, the headmaster of his alma mater, Wen Huai 'en, and five teachers were killed, and the houses of the five teachers were burned, which made him sad. However, Xiaozhuang school has developed rapidly, and the plan to transform the countryside has taken shape. Kindergartens, many central primary schools, Xiaozhuang middle schools, hospitals, evening schools, tea gardens and factories have all opened, and he devoted himself to his career. So he declined the second employment of his alma mater.
Refuse the appointment of a high-ranking official.
1938 10, Tao Xingzhi returned to his base camp Wuhan after completing his anti-Japanese propaganda in 38 countries and regions. On October 7th, 65438, 10, he called on Li Zongren, commander of the Fifth Theater and Anhui Governor. Li appreciated his proposition that "persisting in the protracted war of resistance requires comprehensive anti-Japanese strategies and comprehensive anti-Japanese education", and immediately appointed him as the director of the Education Department of Anhui Province, hoping that he would serve his hometown and create a model of anti-Japanese education throughout the country. But Tao Xingzhi immediately declined.
Tao Xingzhi explained that I had just returned from studying abroad in 19 17, and a large number of Anhui villagers invited me to be the director of education in Anhui. I said that I would not only serve Anhui education, but also educate all the people in China. Xinhua Daily reported on June 5438+1October 5 that I met with the generalissimo. He wants to use me to become a government official. I expressed my three wishes to return to China and made up my mind to do three major things. First, the Xiaozhuang Research Institute was established to train senior anti-construction talents. The second is to run schools for children in difficulty and adopt a large number of talented people displaced by the war; The third is to set up a vocational remedial school for shop assistants in Hong Kong to mobilize overseas Chinese to resist Japan and save the country. The chairman had to cancel the original plan and personally approved these three major events. You can't change your plan now. Li Zongren had to forget about it.
The news that Tao Xingzhi arrived in Wuhan spread like wildfire. Colleges and universities in various provinces competed to hire him as an official. Some interviewed him many times to persuade him to take office, and some governors rushed to send him letters of appointment. He declined one by one. He returned to the post of Director of Anhui Education Department, Director of Sichuan Education Department and President of Wuhan University. One day, Song Meiling hosted a banquet for Tao Xingzhi, saying that Mr. Wang was a young leader. In order to resist Japan, please join the Kuomintang and serve as the director-general of the third Youth League Central Committee. Tao Xingzhi was worried that refusing would hurt her face. He had a brainwave and said: If the Youth League widely accepts anti-Japanese youth and does not exclude youth from any party, it can be considered. Chiang Kai-shek will naturally not agree to this condition. I won't mention it again.
In order to protect Tao Xingzhi, Deng repeatedly invited Tao Xingzhi to Yan 'an on behalf of China * * * Production Party, or to inspect and investigate. Tao Xingzhi replied: Although I yearn for Yan 'an day and night, I can't leave these difficult children in Yucai School behind. I will always go to Yan 'an in the future. He sent 100 students to Yan 'an to take part in the revolutionary cause.
Tao Xingzhi warned teachers that only with "wealth can't be lewd, poverty can't be moved, power can't be bent, and beauty can't be moved" can they become lofty educators.