Inspired mother pioneers freestyle education

Parents with children at Ririxin are mostly from the new middle class and many have experience studying overseas, some with majors in science and technology. Although these parents benefited from China's traditional education themselves, they found something was missing in their life and didn't want their children to follow in their footsteps, says Zhang.

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She says learning knowledge used to change people's fate but today it's easy to get knowledge. Factors like emotional intelligence, creativity and personality couldn't be cultivated through traditional education methods, but could be at her school.

That was why teachers at Ririxin encouraged children to talk about their emotions, solve quarrels by communicating with their peers and argue with teachers when they feel something is unfair.

To better manage the school, Zhang invites children's parents to have a say in Ririxin's operational decisions, from finance to planting trees.

Every day when Zhang's phone rings she smiles. Half the calls are from teachers discussing classes with her and the rest are from parents asking for information about her school. She shows new parents around and repeats Ririxin's educational concept and mission again and again with no trace of boredom in her voice.

Although Zhang lives at the school and works there every day, she doesn't have much time for her 13-year-old daughter.

"My daughter inspired me to open the school. But the school takes my time away for other kids. She understands me and she is strong enough," says Zhang, whose dream is to let more children experience her school and educational style.