Rejecting futile, destructive competition! Yang Xiaofeng of Zhuhai Yinghua: The essence of education is to see each child as uniquely themselves.
2026-06-17
In this age of restlessness, what kind of education do we truly need? Zhuhai Yinghua Principal Yang Xiaofeng of the International Education School offers this answer: education that is entirely student-centered and personalized. Education is not an assembly line; it is a journey to awaken life.
01 I am a veteran in this industry.
In this circle, many people greet me with polite deference, calling me “expert.” But today, speaking to the folks of Zhuhai, I’d like to set the record straight: I don’t see myself as some aloof, high‑and‑mighty expert.
I am but a “veteran” who has spent decades on the front lines of education, having witnessed countless children’s tears and wiped away just as many.
Every time I attend an education fair, parents invariably ask me, “Is your school beautiful?” and “How many offers have you received from Oxford, Cambridge, Harvard, and Yale this year?” I understand everyone’s anxiety, but today, I’d like to invite you to set aside those accolades for a moment and hear some hard‑to‑swallow but heartfelt words.
02 The “Real Life” Hidden Behind the Halo of Prestigious Schools
I have helped countless students gain admission to the world’s top universities. Flowers, applause, and bright red acceptance letters—everything seems perfect, doesn’t it?
However, education is not like a movie: in films, the story ends when the protagonist receives their acceptance letter, whereas real life has only just begun.
As time went on, and when I revisited these children, I was met with heartbreaking scenes: some had regrettably dropped out because they could not adapt to an all-English environment or integrate into local life; others, overwhelmed by loneliness and helplessness, ultimately had no choice but to take a leave of absence and return home.
I once saw a student who had been admitted to Harvard take a leave of absence due to depression. His mother grabbed my hand and tearfully pleaded, “Teacher Yang, all I want is for my child to be healthy—I no longer expect him to attend a prestigious school.”
Each of these scenes pierces my heart like a needle. If a child’s inner world is empty and their abilities are lacking, isn’t sending them out into the world just doing them harm? Simply switching Chinese to English in the classroom, or superficially blending Eastern and Western approaches, is far from enough!
03 The essence of education: Seeing each one-of-a-kind child
To find the answer, we at Zhuhai Yinghua spent nearly a decade, overturning countless proposals. Today, I can say with absolute conviction: personalized education—education that puts students at the center of everything—is the most responsible approach for our children.
Every child is a unique and irreplaceable treasure; we cannot measure the worth of all children by a single yardstick—grades. Einstein was once considered “slow to grasp” in his childhood, yet he went on to formulate the theory of relativity in physics; Qian Zhongshu’s math scores were poor, but he left an indelible mark in the realm of literature. "Fortress Besieged" Such a classic work.
There are no children who cannot be taught—only educational approaches that do not suit them. Learning remains their best path forward. That is why Yinghua International Education is committed to building a “different” ecosystem for growth:
• Ultra‑small, highly personalized classes: Ensuring that every child is within the teacher’s line of sight, leaving no corner overlooked.
• Localization and adaptation of world-class curricula: enabling children to connect with the global community while staying rooted in Chinese heritage.
• All‑Staff Mentorship System: Behind every child, there’s a teacher ready to support them.
04 Core Ace: Psychological Empowerment and Technology-Driven Innovation
If the curriculum is the backbone of a school, then psychological care is its soul.
At Yinghua, we boast an exceptionally talented team of psychology professionals, including Dr. Feng’s nationally certified counseling team. Children who have been labeled “underachievers” in traditional assessment systems—some even exhibiting school refusal, truancy, or self‑harm—are not bad; they are simply unwell or lost, and they are calling for help.
Through psychological counseling, habit reshaping, and confidence-building, we have witnessed our students transform—from avoiding eye contact to becoming self-assured and poised—ultimately gaining admission to top-tier universities and discovering their own sense of purpose. Only children who are both mentally and physically healthy and possess inner strength can better adapt to the changes unfolding in an increasingly interconnected global landscape.
Beyond fostering mental resilience, we also equip our children with the tools they need to face the future. We place a strong emphasis on STEM education, having established state-of-the-art laboratories and introduced cutting-edge STEAM courses such as programming and artificial intelligence. Rather than encouraging rote memorization of code, we give students ample time to explore, experiment, and hands-on engage—because we firmly believe that the world of tomorrow will belong to those who understand technology and can innovate.
05 I’m waiting for you at Yinghua to discuss your child’s future.
Education is a long-distance marathon, not a 100-meter sprint. We should not only assess how quickly a child gets off the starting line, but also consider how far they can go and whether they can sustain the pace without becoming exhausted.
If you, too, are feeling uncertain about your child’s future;
If you feel helpless when looking at your child’s distressing report card;
Even if you simply want to explore an alternative educational path and don’t want your child to get caught up in the futile, relentless competition of the traditional track…
Even a ten-minute conversation might help you untangle the knots that have been weighing on your mind for years. We’ve prepared comprehensive admissions case studies, and our seasoned advisors and psychology experts are waiting for you at Yinghua.
Zhuhai Yinghua International Education is committed to being the one who understands your child best. With professionalism, compassion, and a strong sense of responsibility, we will wholeheartedly support your child and help them soar into a world of endless possibilities!
I’m Yang Xiaofeng. I’m at Yinghua—looking forward to seeing you!
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