8 - Cultivating Inner Qualities

Summary

Chapter 8 presents ‘cultivating inner qualities’ (CIQ) an initiative case study for developing ethical relations in Chinese schools. In the light of the emergent shift from ‘teaching to test’ to ‘educating whole human beings’, the CIQ project has been launched in primary and secondary schools within the different economic development regions in China, targeting especially marginalised children who suffer from severe social and emotional deprivation and exclusion. The core of CIQ practice is centred on developing ethical relations in schools, including time and space within the curriculum to enrich social emotional experiences, developing relational competencies, fostering trust and caring relationships and encouraging mutual respect and mutual support amongst teachers and students. In addition, CIQ is an innovative approach to school management, and to home–school collaboration. Research into CIQ suggests that these core ethical education practices are key to cultivating students’ holistic inner qualities, such as a greater awareness of interconnection between oneself and others; better and more positive interpersonal relationships; a stronger sense of responsibility for each other’s learning; healthier emotional states; and more relational resilience when facing challenges.