Seminar urges rethink on academic focus

Prior to the keynote speeches, Beijing Academy students, dressed in colorful costumes, demonstrated talents ranging from tai chi, gymnastics, Chinese dance, and recited ancient Chinese poems, in a display of the academy's diverse extracurricular activities.

Sunday marked Teacher's Day, and was also the tenth anniversary of the public school's founding. Some alumni sent their well wishes from world-renowned universities.

He Jianxiong, Party Chief of Beijing Academy, said the seminar aimed to highlight what has been achieved by the school over the past decade.

A leaflet handed out to participants said the event was in line with the country's national strategy to build itself into a powerhouse in education, with a focus on training innovative students. The seminar invited outstanding figures from all walks of life to discuss how to cultivate talent in the new era.

China's basic education has long been seen as ultracompetitive as millions of students, supported by their families, work tirelessly to do well in the gaokao, or national college entrance examination, to secure a place at a university.

As a result, many schools are laser-focused on academic subjects and overlook the arts and other subjects that are not tested by the all-important exam.

Some educators have called for more education reforms to nurture innovation and the all-around development of children.