The monthly Imperial Court Assembly was an extremely important event in Taiji Palace. All the officials in Chang 'an City above the fifth rank would be present. Every major decision in the Imperial Court would be announced on the day of the Imperial Court Assembly.
"Li Duo of the Headmaster's College would like to present a memorial to promote primary schools and universal compulsory education so that all the people in the world can learn the teachings of the Sage," an official of the Hall of Governmental Affairs said loudly with a memorial in his hand.
The officials could not help but smile. This was not the first time Li Duo had presented a memorial. Every time, it was left undecided. It would be the same this time.
"Primary schools?" Li Shimin frowned. He naturally attached great importance to primary schools and compulsory education. However, in this era, the Tang dynasty adopted elite education. Most of the educational talents and resources were concentrated in the hands of the aristocratic families. If he rashly promoted primary schools, the aristocratic families would be afraid. This was the reason why Li Shimin did not agree to Li Duo's repeated memorials.
"Let's discuss it!" Li Shimin waved his hand and threw the problem to the officials.
"The Minister does not agree with the promotion of primary schools." Du Chuke quickly stood up and said. He was a member of an aristocratic family and naturally did not want to lose the educational advantage of the aristocratic families. He was the most active in the Imperial Court in opposing the promotion of primary schools.
"As far as I know, the students in Teacher Li's primary schools are both good and bad. Even the son of a peddler can enter as long as he can afford the tuition. The teachers he uses are even scholars who can't even pass the Xiucai exam. How can students with poor aptitudes and teachers who fail the exam become pillars of the country? The Minister thinks that primary schools are just a waste of manpower and money."
What Du Chuke said was the embarrassing situation of primary schools. In addition to the compulsory enrollment of all the children in the Mo Family Village, most of the children of the rich in Chang 'an and Luoyang chose private schools in order to be nominated for the imperial examination in the future.
Teacher Li wanted to promote primary schools. It could be said that they were unscrupulous. If they did not have enough students, they would recruit people without limiting their aptitude. If they did not have enough teachers, they would not even talk about scholars. As long as they had attended private schools for a few years, they would be able to teach a six-year-old child. This attracted many poor children, and allowed the primary school to develop.
The head of the Secretariat, Ma Zhou, boldly stood out and retorted, "No, Kong Sheng said that education is without discrimination. As long as one is devoted to learning, the teacher will do his best to impart knowledge to him. In the history books, there are many people who are not talented and mature late. Among the seventy-two disciples of Kong Sheng, Master Zhuansun was extreme, Zeng Shen was slow, Gao Chai was stupid, Zhong You was rude, and Yan Hui was often poor and had nothing. In the end, they all became sages. I believe that Master Li's primary school is the true practitioner of Kong Sheng's philosophy."
He was a child of a humble family and was the staunchest supporter of primary schools. In his opinion, Teacher Li's primary school was a blessing for the children of humble families. Children from ordinary families could not afford a private school. Primary schools, on the other hand, allowed the originally high price of tuition fees to be shared among many students, directly reducing the price of tuition fees. Even ordinary families could afford it. For the children of humble families, this was a rare opportunity.
Du Chuke retorted, "It is a pity that Li Duo's primary school did not use Kong Sheng's Four Books and Five Classics as books. Instead, he wrote his own so-called 'Sinology' and 'Mathematics'. In order to accumulate wealth, he even split the teaching into six years. Such a vile act, how can he be called the true practitioner of Kong Sheng's philosophy?"
Li Shimin's face could not help but darken. He had seen the 'Sinology' textbook before. Although it included many of the Four Books and Five Classics, it also included other schools of thought and common sense. More importantly, it promoted loyalty to the emperor and patriotism. It could be said that it was very much to his liking and was not a vile act.
Ma Zhou retorted, "Kong Sheng's knowledge is extensive and profound. How can it be understood by children? Master Li did this in order to gradually improve. Furthermore, primary school students are not only literate, they are also well versed in etiquette, hygiene, and common sense of safety. These are the knowledge that children need to learn. Take this year's winter as an example. There have already been a number of children playing on the ice, causing the ice to crack and drown. However, primary school students are well versed in common sense of safety and did not take any risks. I think this is something that children must learn. As for the teachings of the saints, it will not be too late to learn them when they are older."
Many officials nodded in agreement. Children were ignorant and ignorant. This common sense of life was very necessary. It was also something that could not be learned from the teachings of the saints. This was a major drawback of private schools.
Li Shimin's face also darkened. He said, "Send an order to all private schools in the country. They must instruct their students not to take risks on the ice during winter to prevent a tragedy from happening."
"Your Majesty is wise!" Ma Zhou said solemnly. Although Li Shimin's actions were for the sake of all the students, he had also indirectly helped him. He had affirmed the importance of teaching common sense of safety in primary schools.
Du Chuke explained, "Most of the ice cracks occur in the beginning of winter and spring. That is only because the family is unable to watch over it properly. The true pillars of the country are children who memorize ancient poems at three years old, can read thousands of characters at five years old, and are familiar with the Four Books and Five Classics at seven years old. Primary schools seem to have a lot of influence, but a single teacher is teaching fifty to sixty children. How many children will be able to receive the teachings of a teacher? This is no different from a farmer planting a lot and harvesting a small harvest. In the end, I'm afraid it will all be for naught!"
The other officials nodded in agreement. The greatest drawback of primary schools was that they recruited too many students. As a result, the teachers could not focus all their energy on a single student. As a result, the teaching effect was far inferior to the elite education of private schools.
Kong Yingda suddenly stepped forward. "Your subject has a memorial. Perhaps it can allow primary schools to have the best of both worlds." This immediately caused the entire court to fall silent.
The eyes of the officials all focused on Kong Yingda. Although Kong Yingda's position was not high, his status was not to be ignored. After all, the Kong Family was the face of the Confucian school.
Li Shimin's heart skipped a beat. He nodded and said, "Beloved Official Kong, please speak!"
"Reporting to Your Majesty, the children of the world are now entering schools and will definitely have many questions. However, even in private schools, how can a teacher be by your side to resolve your questions? Today, the Minister has specially presented a book to Your Majesty. With this book, the children of the world will be able to be accompanied by a good teacher. Their questions will be immediately resolved and they will be able to achieve twice the results with half the effort." Kong Yingda proudly said. The Confucian school that possessed the 'Dictionary' naturally did not want to be left out. Kong Yingda had specially chosen a large court meeting where the officials were gathered to report this good news to Li Shimin. He was determined to revitalize the Confucian school.
Li Shimin's mouth was filled with curiosity. He said in surprise, "Oh! There is actually such a wondrous book in the world. We must take a look. "
The other officials also began to whisper to each other, looking at Kong Yingda in disbelief. However, due to Kong Yingda's status, they did not show it.
"Your Majesty, please take a look!"
Kong Yingda bowed and presented the 'Dictionary'. His face was filled with pride, and this made the officials even more curious.
"'Dictionary'!" Li Shimin looked at the book gently and could not help but read it aloud.
Kong Yingda nodded and said, "Correct. This book contains the words of the world, their definitions, and the creation of words. If there are children who do not know the words or do not understand the meaning, they can quickly search for the words in the dictionary to resolve their doubts. It can be said to be like a good teacher accompanying you."
"It's actually so convenient?" Li Shimin was surprised and could not help but begin to search. Sure enough, he quickly found the words in his mind. Although the definitions were simple, it was enough for children.
Kong Yingda then distributed several dictionaries to the officials. The officials searched according to Kong Yingda's method, and it was indeed effective. They couldn't help but click their tongues in wonder.
"This book is truly like a good teacher. How many children in the world can afford to hire private tutors? Most of them are taught by a single tutor. With this book as a good teacher accompanying you, it will be greatly beneficial to your studies," a civil official praised.
The other officials nodded. On the one hand, it was because of Kong Yingda's status, and on the other hand, the dictionary was truly very useful for enlightening children.
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