CRI听力:NCPA Becomes Art Academy of 2 Primary Schools

The National Center for the Performing Arts has announced that its become the art academy for a pair of elementary schools here in Beijing.

CRI's Chi Huiguang has more.

Reporter:
At a press conference and signing ceremony initiating arts education cooperation between the NCPA and the 2 primary schools, the NCPA officially became the art academy for the students of both schools, exciting students, parents and school officials alike.

Wen Xuetong is a grade 5 student from Jiaoweihutong Primary School. She says she is eager to learn the artistic knowledge on offer from the NCPA's lessons:

"I'm very happy, because we can get to learn more about the arts. I want to thank the NCPA for providing us with such an amazing chance. And of course, I want to express my appreciation towards my teachers and to my school for giving us the chance to know more about the arts."
Wang Lijuan is a mother of a grade one student at Zizhong Primary School. She expressed her support for the cooperation project:

"I'm pleased to attend the signing ceremony here. As parents, we care about the artistic education of our kids alongside the test subjects that the school provides. We always hope that the school could set up a platform for the students to touch upon the classical arts. We couldn't agree more about this cooperation project. We parents know little about the arts, so we hope that the school can provide such guidance to our kids."

According to the cooperation agreement, artists from NCPA will give lectures on classical music in the schools at least once a month. And the students will be invited to visit the rehearsal of performances held in the NCPA. Wang Lijuan is more than satisfied with the arrangements:

"This will go a long way to cultivating the children's aspirations towards the arts. We often brought our son here to watch plays and children's plays before he entered primary school. He is really interested in such performances."

This gradual project also expresses the NCPA's desire to popularize classical music and promote cultural cultivation. The project is actually the result of the physical and aesthetic education plan launched by the Beijing Education Committee. According to Gou Zhongwen, secretary of the Beijing Education Committee, 25 universities and community agencies in the capital city's 12 districts will cooperate with more than 140 primary schools up until September of this year. Their involvement will improve the usefulness and reach of the overall project. Guo says students will get more than just knowledge out of the arts lessons on offer:

"They will not only learn; they'll also develop their character, behavior, appearance, manners and their style of conversation. Since the project has been supported by the society, we should maintain its course. I hope that arts organizations such as the NCPA take the cooperation seriously. And the schools should make a determined effort to reform the education policy, from the examination-oriented education to quality education. Provide students with healthy, all-round development. And I hope that this period of study will have a positive influence the children."

The NCPA will shortly begin participating with the two schools, gathering special resources, practicing fresh ideas, creating new models to further satisfy the desire and aspirations of parents and society for quality education, and providing children with happy childhood memories.

According to Chen Ping, President of the NCPA, the center has continuously explored different methods of artistic education for young people. A series of special brands have been established over time, including popularity concerts for teenagers, Youth Arts Week, the International Children's Theatre Festival and NCPA Opera lessons.

CRI's Chi Huiguang reporting.