More than 160 teachers and educators gathered at a seminar in Pingtan, Fujian province, on Dec 2 to share their teaching methods.

Yan Xuefu, president of the Daguan Junior High School in New Taipei City, presented a flurry of what he calls “ecological methods” to cultivate students’ interests beyond normal classes.

The novel curriculums include light farm work in the likes of seed sowing, ploughing, and vegetable planting. Students can also embark on an expedition in the wild from time to time.

“The school must teach students to have more senses, and elevate their thinking ability as well as courage so that they will have the ability to find and solve problems in society in the future,” said Yan.

Putting students in the “ecological environment” in after-school time will help them form a positive attitude towards life and teamwork spirit, he added.

Yan’s teaching concept has opened the eyes of many teachers in Pingtan. Wang Mei, president of Chengguan Primary School, said she also planned to organize travels to help students get closer to Mother Nature.

Most schools on the Chinese mainland balk at the idea of organizing outdoor events amid worries that they will be held fully accountable if any of the students gets hurt.

In Taiwan, schools have a lighter responsibility, as students are covered by a full set of insurance products, said Zhou Kaihuang, a professor with the Fujian Institute of Education.

Only by releasing the “security shackle” of school authorities’ minds can Pingtan fully perform characteristic teaching modes in order to enhance the overall quality of students, he added.