"Why music courses? There are many other ways to teach children about Peking Opera. A drawing course is also a good option," Ma suggests.

The 200-year-old Peking Opera is a synthesis of music, dance, art and acrobatics. It is widely regarded as a Chinese cultural treasure. The ministry's plan is being questioned by some, who believe the course will further burden already busy students. "And if Peking Opera is included, why not other forms of local opera," the critics say.

Ministry spokesman Wang Xuming stresses that the Peking Opera classes were not compulsory nationwide. Instead, they were pilot programs implemented in certain schools from March to July.

"We chose Peking Opera because it is our national cultural treasure. The pilot will not extend to other local operas," he says.

His words were corroborated by Wu Jiang who selected the 15 arias. "The plan is not aimed to foster Peking Opera artists or fans," says Wu, also the China National Peking Opera Theater president.

"It just opens a door to children, giving them a chance to develop interests in traditional culture. If they are not interested, at least they are getting to know something about it."

Wang Keying, a 7-year-old student at Zhongguancun No 1 Primary School in Beijing, enjoyed her first Peking Opera class at the start of the new semester. "I like the course. At least I can watch TV, which my mom never allows me to do except on weekends," the girl says. However she admits she cannot hum a single bar of a Peking Opera aria.

Gao Mukun, a National Peking Opera Theater actor, who has spent 40 years on the stage, says he supports the plan wholeheartedly. "Teenagers are more easily to accept novel things, and so why not help them know more about their own culture?"