Chapter 710: Kicking off education reform with a machine gun!

He paused, then Lu Fan continued speaking: "Education administrative regulations call for a full two-day weekend, canceling early morning and evening self‑study, setting students' on‑campus time and specific PE‑class requirements—all to lighten the children's load!"

After the new education policy was implemented, schools, students, and parents all felt pressure to advance academically. Naturally, there were also many students and parents who wanted to attend evening self‑study sessions to boost grades by increasing study time.

Taking this into account, the Provincial Party Committee and Provincial Government decided that, starting this year, the senior high school entrance exam's "five‑five streaming" would be changed to a "two‑eight streaming," allowing 80% of ninth‑grade graduates to enter high school. The remaining 20% would go to vocational high school—no offense, but with their academic performance, even going to high school would be wasted.

But dear parents, don't worry—this year I will personally oversee Grassland Province's higher vocational education, aiming to solve employment issues, cultivate practical talents for enterprises, and deliver various technical personnel to companies. Rest assured, I will see this work through; I guarantee to the whole province that many children will voluntarily go to higher vocational schools in the future.

Some parents worry that canceling evening self‑study could increase the family's financial burden, as students' free time grows and parents may feel compelled to pay for tutoring to boost grades, which could adversely affect poorer families.

First, Secretary Du Wenlong of the Provincial Discipline Inspection Committee just said we must crack down on paid tutoring, with all parents across the province acting as supervisors. If this work isn't done well, it will be a dereliction of duty by the Provincial Discipline Inspection Committee and the Provincial Department of Education, for which the Provincial Party Committee will hold them accountable.

Second, the academic pressure on junior and senior high students is considerable. Evening self‑study usually runs until 10 or even 11 p. m., so by the time they get home it's already late at night, and some students don't arrive until 11:30 p. m.

Such a schedule leaves them hardly any time to rest; finishing homework at night often keeps them busy until 1 a. m., causing dual physical and mental exhaustion. Who wouldn't feel sorry for them?

Moreover, the environment of evening self‑study is worrisome. High school self‑study rooms often turn into disorderly "revelries"; when teachers are absent, students chat loudly, making it hard for those who want to focus to concentrate.

In such an environment, learning is difficult to carry out, and sometimes even normal communication becomes a struggle. Many students complain that in this noisy setting their learning effectiveness is greatly reduced.

Learning should be free and self‑directed, yet in many schools evening self‑study time is arranged as teachers' "concentration camp" for tutoring and tests. Students who wish to pursue self‑directed study, remediate weak subjects, or organize notes find hardly any opportunity to set their own pace; this invisibly deprives them of autonomy, making learning more uniform. Under such high pressure, students' learning efficiency and enthusiasm drop sharply.

Furthermore, safety hazards cannot be ignored. As autumn and winter approach, when evening self‑study ends the sky is already dark, especially for commuting students, the risk of walking home at night cannot be overlooked. Moreover, the scarcity of night‑time pedestrians creates potential safety problems that trouble many families.

In short, the Provincial Party Committee and Provincial Government have taken everyone's worries into account. Even if there are oversights, we will spot and fix problems promptly; let us together look forward to an education era free of cut‑throat competition descending on the grasslands.

Finally, I want to tell all educators and parents:

The best way to nurture children is to let flowers be flowers and trees be trees—don't turn them into exam tools or puppets on strings!

Children are not lumps of clay for parents to knead and shape at will.

Children are flowers, they are trees, each with its own growth rhythm and unique charm.

You cannot expect sunflowers to bloom under moonlight, nor let night‑blooming cereus flourish under the scorching sun.

All we can do is set aside our presumptuous expectations, accept, and allow children to walk their own paths.

True education has never been about shaping children into society's definition of excellence in the name of love; rather, it is about seeing, accepting, and respecting their differences, giving them the soil to blossom, so they can thrive.

Lu Fan's talk was very down‑to‑earth; every sentence came from the heart, wholly standing from the standpoint of the broad masses, like a spring breeze blowing over people's hearts, letting everyone directly feel his deep affection and his emphasis on education work.

Thunderous applause echoed in the sub‑venues, showing the grassroots cadres' recognition and support for him.

After Grassland Province's Ten‑Article Education New Policy was released, the internet exploded instantly, immediately sparking nationwide heated discussion.

Some people clapped and cheered, feeling that this education reform had finally become humane;

some worried that such a one‑size‑fits‑all policy might weaken children's learning competitiveness;

some flew into a rage, utterly unable to accept it, with curses erupting here and there;

some said tutoring classes were about to enjoy a boom; teachers' pockets grew full, game revenues rose, milk‑tea and snack shop incomes increased, while parents' wallets shrank……

some said, if Grassland Province's ten new policies could actually be carried out, I'd eat shit while standing on my head!

……

No matter what attitude anyone holds, this education reform is a shift in Grassland Province's stance, a bold attempt that, in a sense, thoroughly relieves the burden on students and parents. Its intensity is unmatched nationwide—this isn't just sounding the charge for reform; it's wielding a machine gun and firing cannons.

However, most netizens adopt a wait‑and‑see attitude, letting the bullets fly awhile!

Just after the afternoon work shift began, Minister Chen Shaobo's call came in; he laughed and said, "Comrade Lu Fan, you still have the greater daring— the Education Ministry only gave a guiding opinion, yet you have fully carried it out; I admire you immensely!"

Lu Fan laughed and replied, "I just think of something and do it; Minister, please keep offering valuable advice, and I will correct myself promptly."

Chen Shaobo said, "Education reform is like crossing the river by feeling for stones; the key lies in whether one wants to feel and how to feel. As long as we break through barriers, improve methods, and boldly explore, we will always find a way."

The deeper we go into the 'deep water zone,' the greater the risk, and the more we must feel our way with stones. What I fear is that everyone will hesitate, afraid to take the first step.

Grassland Province has set an example for the whole country; I need to thank you for your support of education work.

Lu Fan seized the opportunity to curry favor, replying, "Supporting the minister's work is right and necessary! Over the years, no matter what post I've held or what difficulties I've faced, the minister's support has always been like timely rain, helping me overcome obstacles again and again; I keep all that help in my heart."

Grassland Province's education reform this time is unprecedented in intensity, and the difficulties are enormous, especially financially—the fiscal estimate shows we need to put out about 8 billion yuan each year to sustain the reform.

To say something without embarrassment, Haikou has already been bragged about, so I can only grit my teeth and go forward.

Ah, it's tough being a boss with no money!

"Stop, stop, stop! My big secretary Lu, whenever you meet someone you're always crying poor! Let me tell you good news: the project we discussed last time has been approved, and 1 billion yuan of special funds is already in the pipeline!"

Lu Fan hurriedly said, "The minister always keeps his word; I've already earmarked that 1 billion in my pocket, with the usage planned out. For Grassland to make such a big move, shouldn't the minister give additional support? Rest assured, I'll plan the project and ensure it aligns with the Ministry of Education's support direction."

"I shouldn't have made this call! Comrade Lu Fan, you're still a grass‑roots tempered person—I admit I'm afraid of you, you're not easy either; I'll support what ought to be supported, but I can only scrape together three or five hundred million."

Lu Fangu excitedly said, "The minister still cares for and supports me; I'll immediately arrange for the Provincial Department of Education and the ministry to connect and submit the project!"

This is truly an unexpected windfall—3 plus 5 equals 8 billion, and with a little extra we can plan for 10 billion; another unexpected fortune has arrived!

After hanging up, Minister Chen Shaobo also smiled knowingly: money is only effective when spent; giving it to anyone is still giving—giving it to Lu Fan might work even better, yielding greater returns later. If he didn't intend to give, he wouldn't have proactively made this call today.

Just as the call ended, the phone rang again; seeing the number, Lu Fan hurriedly answered, respectfully saying, "Secretary, good day!"

"I've looked at the Ten Articles New Policy; it's very bold, though I don't know how effective it will be. Still, reform is crossing the river by feeling for stones— taking the first step is crucial. You must constantly monitor dynamics and changes, spot any wrong signs immediately, correct them, and ensure the reform stays on the right track."

Lu Fan solemnly replied, "I will closely monitor the reform's direction; should I detect any signs or problems that could cause deviation, I will decisively take measures to correct or adjust the policy, ultimately achieving the expected goals."

In the coming years, if you work solidly in Grassland—boosting the economy, developing industry, securing livelihoods, curbing corruption, improving the business environment, maintaining stability—your GDP ranking will rise by at least three to five places.

Lu Fan firmly replied, "Rest assured, I will vigorously develop industry, optimize the industrial structure, strengthen infrastructure construction, push technological innovation, raise openness to the outside world, and wholeheartedly develop tourism, animal husbandry, and Mongolian medicine, striving to let Grassland hold its head high as soon as possible."

Hong Tao added a remark, asking, "What difficulties exist at present?"

Lu Fan replied without hesitation, "Secretary, the biggest difficulty is funding! A skillful woman can't cook without rice; no money means no step forward. Grassland has already tightened its belt to get by, but developing industry and improving livelihoods both need money……

At this moment, Hong Tao deeply regretted having spoken up—talk too much, invite trouble! Having promised something, he must grit his teeth and see it through; otherwise he'd lose face.