Long-term learning skills are key, says principal

Zhang Qian

AS Shenzhen is enhancing its educational system by incorporating more expatriate employees with international perspectives, three foreign vice principals have been employed at several local schools in Nanshan District. Taraneh Afnan-Holmes is one of the three principals.

Afnan-Holmes, 60, originally born in Iran but having lived in many countries, now works as the vice principal at three schools in Nanshan District, namely the Taoyuan Experimental School of Shenzhen University Town, the A&S Experimental School and the Lihu Experimental School of Shenzhen University Town. She spends two days at the first two schools and one day at the latter each week.

It is Afnan-Holmes’ second semester working at the schools since she and the other two expatriate vice principals were hired by Nanshan District Education Bureau in September last year for a two-year contract.

When describing her place of origin, Afnan-Holmes said that she in fact has called many places home and does not belong to one or two certain countries. Though born in Iran, Afnan-Holmes spent many years living in the United Kingdom, Turkey, South Africa and many other countries.

Afnan-Holmes’ connection with China goes back to her ancestors who traded in Shanghai back in the 1850s. It is the sixth year for Afnan-Holmes to live in China and she has gradually gained knowledge about local schools and education.

“I observed how the schools operate and how students learn for the first semester I work here and now I am working with the teachers, mostly English teachers, here to improve the pedagogy,” said Afnan-Holmes.

What the vice principal picked as the biggest problem for Chinese education is that the teaching and learning at the schools are “fear-based,” which, according to Afnan-Holmes, stems from living memory of previous generations.

“The studying at Chinese schools is excessively competitive with so many having to strive to be accepted into top universities that give them better chances of getting well-paid jobs and a quality life,” said Afnan-Holmes.

In Afnan-Holmes’ eyes, Chinese culture fascinates her to a great extent in many ways, but what she detests is modern society’s greed.

The vice principal’s long-term goal for the schools is to create programs that cultivate lifelong learners. “The ultimate goal of education should be developing global citizens with upright characters and an understanding of their responsibilities as well as the ability to solve problems,” said Afnan-Holmes.

The vice principal worked at Shenzhen University teaching Medical English for a few years before her current post. She found that most college students in China lack learning skills and study passively, which made her want to work with younger students at schools and guide them in acquiring independent learning skills. “Children under 12 years old can more easily master learning skills, so at the primary school stage, it is crucial for educators to cultivate the kids’ learning ability,” said Afnan-Holmes.