Zhang Pingyuan, the principal, who has dedicated 36 years to teaching in rural schools, champions a student-centered education philosophy. He started working at Fanjia Primary School in 2014. "Many essential skills are developed through play, such as social interaction and interest in others. In class, teachers and students often sit in a circle. Grades are not ranked here. We focus on understanding and respecting each child," the 55-year-old said.

"When a student makes a mistake, we engage them in a thoughtful dialogue rather than resorting to punishment. This method, known as the five-step conversation method, fosters an environment where students feel supported and valued," he said.

He said that the steps are five questions — What's wrong? What do you think? What do you plan to do? What do you need the teacher to do? What kind of advice do you need from the teacher? Teachers ask and students answer. During the conversation, teachers will not blame or complain. In this way, the children feel that their teachers truly love and care about them, Zhang added.

In 2015, the school reformed its evaluation system to move away from solely relying on exam results. The school introduced the "Eight Merits Youth" evaluation form, which assesses students on a broad range of criteria, including reading, labor, and habits.

This allows students to set personalized growth targets.

"Children develop at different rates. Our goal is to help them grow without the pressure of competing against their peers," Zhang said.

At the school, students' test scores are not tied to teachers' performance evaluations. "Although terms like scientific and meticulous management might sound impressive, people cannot be managed with such precision. We can't mold children into exactly what we want them to be," Zhang said.

The school's innovative approach has not gone unnoticed. In August, Fanjia Primary School was awarded Sichuan province's first prize for Educational Development Reform Excellence Award, recognizing its pioneering educational model.

Zhang said that the school has acquired an additional 0.47 hectares of land adjacent to the school, with plans to start construction on new buildings this year. The school's future plans include expanding facilities and introducing middle school education.

lihongyang@chinadaily.com.cn