strictlysupreme Chapter 1098 The Deeper Reasons
Chapter 1098 The Deeper Reasons
Liu Meilan was picking at crabs when she heard her grandfather's words and was slightly taken aback. "Grandpa, are you talking about a private school?"
Grandpa Liu replied, "Yes! I guess so. I heard everything Xiaoyu told you when she came over last time! I think I understand now. These people who got rich first just like expensive things! The key is that they also want their children to have good academic performance and other good personal qualities."
"Since they feel that ordinary public schools can no longer accommodate them, then let's build private schools. At least we should have the right ideas to guide these private schools, so that the children of these wealthy families are not only instilled with Western ideas!"
"Cultural infiltration has serious consequences! If we don't take over, someone else will! I've been thinking about this issue recently. Now, many people who have become rich in coastal areas and even inland areas send their children abroad to study because they can't get into good universities through the national college entrance examination."
"Without a solid cultural foundation, these people, once they arrive in the West, where material wealth is abundant, will inevitably look down on the temporary backwardness of their homeland. Over time, they will become supporters of the West, and may even transfer the money they earn in China directly abroad. How can the rich then help the poor to get rich?"
Hearing this, Liu Meilan was filled with respect. Her grandfather had thought so deeply. "Reclaiming land from the sea is easy; there's a large area of it to the north of Sifang Island! But those people outside who want to send their children to Sifang Island to study want to achieve the same educational results as the schools there. They might not be willing to build such a private school!"
Grandpa Liu chuckled, "The private schools I'm talking about aren't all private; they cooperate with schools on the island! If someone from outside wants to study here, they pay a tuition fee! That's how it's done outside anyway, and since they don't lack money, they do it too!"
At this moment, Wang Miaoxiang raised her hand, "Grandpa, all of what you're saying can be solved by human intervention! If these children go to elementary school here, given the space on the island, they can only live at school, and there's nowhere for these parents to rent houses!"
Grandpa Liu smiled smugly, "When the military expands here in the future, there will be so many military spouses. We can choose those with good education and personal abilities to work as childcare workers! We can also hire some young and energetic teachers, and combine them with the teachers on our island, the teaching quality will not be bad."
"The reason I came up with this idea is because I know that while I can refuse now, I might not be able to refuse later. Parents love their children and plan far ahead for them. A child's education involves countless families. In the end, the people on Sifang Island will also be pressured into agreeing!"
"In that case, let's think of a plan in advance! That way, we won't be caught off guard by the pressure and orders from above at the last minute. Although our school is semi-private and accepts sponsorships from parents, parents are absolutely not allowed to interfere with the school's management and teaching."
"In this school, we don't define students by their parents' status, workplace, or wealth. Instead, we judge them by their excellence! This excellence is not just about academic performance, but also about other aspects. Ultimately, you have to have something you excel at."
Professor Xie nodded, "In ancient times, the imperial examinations required not only reading, but also, if possible, the study of the Six Arts of a Gentleman. Mastering even one of these arts could still lead to success. In schools, everyone should be treated equally, regardless of wealth!"
"Meilan, you're currently having in-depth discussions with Mayor Tang about the development of Sifang Island. You'd better take some time to talk to Mayor Tang about this! Let's prepare a few contingency plans in advance, just in case things get chaotic when the time comes!"
This topic drew everyone's attention away from the seafood on the table, and they even lost some interest in it.
Liu Meilan quickly said, "Everything takes time to handle, there's no need for us to rush! Come on, let's eat this seafood quickly, it won't taste as good if it gets cold!"
Tang Ying picked up some fish with the serving chopsticks and said, "Let me try it! I must say, this fish is really delicious!"
Liu Meilan exclaimed, "Of course! This is top-quality seafood. It has very few bones, so even children can eat it! Sister-in-law, you caught this fish, so eat more!"
Tang Ying nodded, "Then I won't be polite! Little Stone, you should have some too!"
Little Stone looked up and said, "Mom, I'm eating! I haven't stopped talking!"
Little Stone's face was still covered in rice grains, and his big eyes sparkled with delight, filled with love for the food.
The same goes for other children; the pleasure brought by delicious food satisfies both adults and children.
After the meal, the nanny cleared away the dishes and washed them clean.
They went into the living room, where the children were playing and the adults were watching TV and chatting.
Just then, Mayor Tang arrived. He hadn't even had a proper dinner yet, as he was receiving one phone call after another from his old friends, classmates, and comrades-in-arms.
It wasn't until I received a call from my daughter that I understood what had happened.
Mayor Tang couldn't sit still any longer; his subordinates were discussing these matters and couldn't come up with anything of substance.
So Mayor Tang followed his daughter's advice and came directly to find Liu Meilan.
Seeing Mayor Tang arrive, Liu Meilan knew what was going on. "Uncle Tang, did someone call you too?"
"It's not just people!" Mayor Tang said, both amused and exasperated. "There are a lot! I've received no less than 10 calls today! I came here to discuss things, but I didn't even bring my phone! I left it at home. If someone calls, I tell them I'm out and my phone is at home! I'm so worried. I'm pushing everything onto the military, but I'm also worried that the higher-ups can't handle it!"
Seeing Mayor Tang's worried expression, Liu Meilan smiled and said, "My second brother, my mother, and I just received a lot of calls. After discussing it... what do you think?"
Mayor Tang was taken aback. "That's one solution, but the project is huge! The reefs over there can't be used for pearl farming, so they've been left empty! Filling that area will probably cost a lot of money! It's a bit difficult to get funding from higher authorities!"
Liu Meilan smiled and said, "So we are planning a public-private partnership, with the government providing the land, some teachers, and some teaching and experimental equipment, to build the school on reclaimed land!"
"Huh?" Mayor Tang was dumbfounded. "Will it be very expensive in the future? If we charge high tuition fees for the people on our island, I guess they won't be happy!"
Liu Meilan replied with a smile, "Those with island residency don't need to pay! It's the same as before! In the future, those who come from outside to study will have to pay a tuition fee, and they'll have to pay it every year! Those who can afford to study here are basically all wealthy! Since they can't bring themselves to refuse, let them pay for their own schooling!"