FOCAL POINTS

Provision of Musical Instruments to Rural Schools

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In many poor rural areas, teachers do not have any musical instruments to work with in class. In recognition of the role that music plays in children's development, ESS started in 2002 to provide small sets of traditional Chinese musical instruments and teaching material to selected rural schools. The project is funded by donations of US$300 for each school.

Feedback from the beneficiary schools indicates overwhelming appreciation from the children and the teachers, as well as from the rural communities. Music lessons have become interesting and children are eager to learn and practice. School choirs acquire a high standard within a short time, and regularly participate in performances at local festivals and on special occasions.

The type of instruments provided varies depending on local conditions and the availability of teachers. For example, a rural school in the Balinzuo Banner in Chifeng City, Neimenggu (Inner Mongolia), established a special interest group for Chinese wind instruments, the hulusi (cucurbit flute) and bawu. The group quickly expanded to over 100 students. The sound of children practicing these instruments is heard every day around the school ground. Another school in Baokang county, Hubei, received a batch of waist drums. The school immediately organized special training and practicing sessions for the students. Their performances in the local community received high acclaim.

These activities have enriched the life of the children and stimulated their overall interest to learn. Seeing the progress that the children have made, the parents have become staunch supporters of music and art education in the rural schools.

By the end of 2012, almost 400 rural schools in China have benefited from this project, as shown in the table below.

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