Ancient texts not a burden on students

The newly revised senior high school curriculum includes more ancient Chinese poems and prose for recitation, sparking a public discussion on whether it will increase the burden on students. A Ministry of Education official has said recitation should not be regarded as a burden, as it will make students more familiar with traditional culture.

Some people consider an increase in the number of subjects, texts or homework raises the students' burden, while reducing them eases their burden. But they fail to identify the real source of students' burden. By learning something they are interested in or something that is inspiring, the students will actually gain in knowledge and resolve, so such content cannot be an additional burden on them.

Subjects that are forced upon the students or those that they will have no use of in the future should be considered a burden. Besides, whether learning ancient Chinese poems and prose would be a burden on the the students depends on how these subjects are taught. Of course, if the teachers force the students to cram up the prose and poems, they will become a burden for some of the students. But if the teachers in middle schools make the students realize the significance of learning traditional Chinese culture and help them appreciate the inherent qualities of ancient texts, the students may find the poems and prose interesting.