Chinese students traditionally sing a nostalgic farewell song on graduation day to commemorate their school. The song carried a special poignancy this year for one small group of schoolchildren, who fear it may well be their school's last.
On graduation day this June the eleven boys and girls of K'uolai Elementary, located in a remote mountain area southeast of Taipei, walked two or three hours to get to school, as usual. Different today was the Sunday-best clothes they had on and the spic-and-span look of the school itself, especially the classroom where the ceremony was to be held, festooned with gay red banners congratulating graduates and welcoming guests.
Blue-green peaks, a twisting mountain stream, scattered mushroom huts and the scent of tea fields combined to increase the youngsters' sadness and longing this day. K'uolai, with a population once of over 2000, has seen better days. And the school, too, founded in 1910, has looked on happier times. The school's heyday was 1965, when it boasted eight grades and 190 students. But 20 years of migration away has left the town practically empty and the school facing imminent closing.
With just 11 students now, K'uolai Elementary has had to double up grades, combining them into three separate classes. But results are far from ideal: depending on the material, either the older children are bored or the younger ones frustrated. Another problem is lack of competition. Principal Su Jung-tzung tells the story of Student A who gets an A and Student B who gets a C--and both are tops in their class. Also, it's difficult for the students to acquire a sense of community spirit, a quality important in Chinese education. If the two classmates get along, that's fine; but if they quarrel, they lose their only friend. If the quarrel continues, it may harm the child's personality and psychological development.
Educationally speaking, the one-room schoolhouse has its latent causes of concern. But expressed in the 11 children of K'uolai Elementary is rather a friendliness and affection that makes them seem like the brothers and sisters of one big happy family. Graduation is naturally an important event in this student family--big brother and sister are going off into the wide world. As much as the festive atmosphere makes them excited and happy, a lingering sadness at parting clings to their small hearts.
The sharp report of a string of firecrackers, echoing in the mountain valley, announces that ceremonies will begin. The graduating class of two--one big and tall, one small and thin--wearing garlands that say "graduate" in red, file in accompanied by their nine schoolmates and six teachers. The two protagonists take their seats at front and center; their fellows sit behind arranged by height. The principal delivers the commencement address with the usual exhortations and encouragement for the future but with more than ordinary emotion.
After the speech come the awards. Kao Chien-hsing, first in his class, and Lin Mu-ts'ai, second, between them sweep all 22 prizes. For each award they solemnly rise, ascend the platform and return to their seats, punctiliously observing proper form. After the awards, some of the parents and teachers come forward to say a few words and then it's time to sing farewell. Their little voices raised in song, the children line up one by one and shake hands with the two seniors. The girls are teary-eyed and hoarse while the boys, after a quick handshake, run off to play, making the guests laugh.
The ceremony over, the two new graduates go outside to plant saplings, each bound with a red tag with a student's name on it. The principal tells the students to come back when they can and take a look at these two trees. Parents and teachers, he says, will think of them whenever they see the trees. He hopes they may grow up big and strong, like the two trees, and become pillars of their community and their country.
The song has ended and the students have gone, but the problem of the school's future remains. The Education Department, believing the students would be better served at a larger neighboring facility, wants to close the school. This proposal has met with opposition from parents and residents who feel closing will accelerate the town's decline and force the children to walk even farther to their new school. A final decision has not yet been made. But if this year's graduation song is not the school's last, the future can scarcely promise many more.
(Peter Eberly)
[Picture Caption]
The school picture with 18 students and faculty in all.
The principal personally lights a string of firecrackers to start the ceremonies.
Children play hide-and-go-seek with a puppy, also attending the ceremony.
The ceremony over and the people gone, the schoolyard is left empty and alone.
The two graduates between them sweep all 22 prizes.
Planting a tree to serve as a lasting memento.
The students perform a send-off program for their "big brothers".
The principal personally lights a string of firecrackers to start the ceremonies.
Children play hide-and-go-seek with a puppy, also attending the ceremony.
The ceremony over and the people gone, the schoolyard is left empty and alone.
Planting a tree to serve as a lasting memento.
The two graduates between them sweep all 22 prizes.
The students perform a send-off program for their "big brothers".
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