Developing Nanning Through Science And Education: An Arduous Task

The city of Nanning is capital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, a typical nationality area. The purpose of the research is to investigate Nanning teenagers' education in science and technology, to findways to tackle its problems or disparities and to offer some information for Nanning "Science and Technology Education Stimulating City Development" strategies.The research is an applied research by definition, and its methods are to do relevant investigations, summaries and literature studies.The investigations show that the overall level of culture qualities of primary and middle school students is just at the passing line. The sample groups are quite different. Among them, senior middle school students have got highest scores. Primary and Middle school students are fairly good at mastering some knowledge in science and technology, but rather poor at using scientific methods in their problem solving. Between urban and suburban schools, there are big gaps in scores. In general, parents are willing to let their children take part in activities in science and technology, and support them with money and materials. However, the quality of teaching staff for Education in Science and Technology is not very satisfactory.The research indicates that, compared with advanced provinces and cities, Nanning has a low level of a Teenagers' Education in Science and Technology, which cannot meet the needs of the local education andsocial development and cannot satisfy the requirements for carrying out the strategies of Nanning "Science-and-Technology-Education-to-Stimulate-City-Development" and the strategies of Great Western Development. The problems are mainly related to understanding and beliefs, operating mechanism, teaching staff, assessment, experiences etc. The chief measures to deal with the problem are put forward: 1. to define the education in science and technology and clarify its content, 2. to form a scientific management system and a complete operating mechanism, 3. to improve school principals' management and teachers' qualities in science, 4. to standardize and systematize its assessments, 5. to adopt a mode fit for their own characteristics and by learning from other relevant successful experiences.The establishment and rapid development of education in science and technology in Nanning primary and middle schools symbolizes a change from examination-oriented education to quality-oriented education, a change from service for higher education to service for overall students, all of which is a big step for basic education reforms. Nanning teenagers' Education in Science and Technology has moved forward from the primary stage to the developing stage. In the primary stage, the education in science and technology has not yet formed its own characteristics, only following the old modes of traditional education and guiding activities. That education emphasized helping certain students to master scientific knowledge and methods and neglected to cultivate their scientific spirits, consciousness and attitudes. As a result, a complete system and research ideology has not taken shape. Now the education in science and technology has produced effects on some schools, but their growth is not kept in balance. There is a big gap between urban and suburban schools, some of which are still in the primary stage. So, to a certain extent, the level and quality of teenagers' education in science and technology in Nanning is not fit for its economic and social development. In order to catch up with the advanced cities and realize the plan of "Science-and-Technology-Education-to-Stimulate-City-Development", Nanning needs the supports from the city government and from the people in all walks of life, and needs talents, theories and time.