In China, the cost of education has been the economic burden of ordinary people since ancient times. Li Duanfen was the first person who proposed to reduce the tuition fees for students in poverty-stricken areas. At that time, although there was no problem of "unreasonable charges for education", he saw that Yunnan and Guizhou provinces were remote and "a lot of scholars were poor". It is not only a long way for a scholar to go to Beijing to take the exam, but also a heavy burden of transportation and horses. Many people have to walk to Beijing because they can't afford to hire horses and chariots, and they often miss exams. Or can't afford to go to Beijing. Although he was admitted, he just gave up the opportunity to take the exam in Beijing. So he joined forces with Liu Yuezhao, governor of Yunnan Province, and Cen, governor of Yunnan Province, to play the Qing court, requesting the court to approve "the two provinces of Yunnan and Guizhou to give people a try, such as giving fire cards to the city to enter Beijing." From then on, Yunnan and Guizhou provinces held fire certificates (letters of introduction) issued by the government to take exams in Beijing, and the stations along the way provided horses, boats and meals free of charge. This measure has created many talents for Yunnan and Guizhou provinces.
Li Duanfen lived a life of integrity and disdained to buy and sell officials. As long as it is a talent, he recommends it. Although he paid a heavy price for recommending talents, he had no regrets all his life.
In the 15th year of Guangxu (1889), when he presided over the Guangdong provincial examination, he found that Liang Qichao was a rare wizard, accepted him as the eighth, and promised his cousin to be his wife.
In the history of modern education in China, Li Duanfen's greatest contribution is that he reformed the academic system, attached importance to science, opposed exam-oriented education and advocated quality education.
In view of the painful lessons of the Sino-Japanese War of 1894-1899, he presented "Please Promote School Discount" to Emperor Guangxu on the second day of May in the 25th year of Guangxu (1899). It is pointed out that the exam-oriented education at that time could not cultivate a large number of talents needed for current affairs. In the memorial, he proposed to set up new schools in the capital and all provinces, prefectures and counties in China, and put forward new measures such as building libraries, laboratories and publishing houses and sending overseas students to developed countries. I hope to reform the old education system, cultivate useful talents for the country and avenge the country.
Emperor Guangxu adopted his idea and ordered it to be carried out throughout the country. Later, imperial university halls and new schools in various provinces were established one after another. Shi Jing University Hall was founded in 1898 and renamed Peking University in 19 12.
Therefore, without Li Duanfen, there would be no Peking University today. In the Peking University History Museum, the book "Please Promote School Preferences" presented by Li Duanfen to Emperor Guangxu has been displayed, which proves this point.
1898' s reform movement went down in history.
Historically, Li Duanfen was not only a reformer of modern education in China, but also a political thinker of modern reform movement.
Yan Xiu, Tang, Xiong Xiling, etc. 16 people who made positive contributions in the historical process of China after the Reform Movement of 1898 were recommended. Among the talents he recommended, Kang Youwei, Tan Sitong and Liang Qichao were the most influential reformist leaders in China's modern history. Without Li's sponsorship, it would be difficult for reformists to participate in decision-making. In addition, Li devoted himself to the Reform Movement of 1898 with his political maturity and steadiness.
Today, people remember Li Duanfen not because he was a great official, but because he played a unique and important role in the reform movement of 1898.
In the 24th year of Guangxu (1898), on June 1 1 day, "Ming Ding Guo as an imperial edict" was promulgated, announcing the political reform. "All reforms shall be subject to this imperial edict; The New Deal trip began on this day. " The flame of reform and political reform is still burning. However, the old-fashioned die-hards headed by Empress Dowager Cixi decided that "the law of ancestors cannot be changed" and tried every means to obstruct the reform. Taking advantage of his real power, he stepped up his counterattack and pushed Weng Tonghe, who advocated political reform, to the throne of "returning home empty"; Appointed Rong Lu as the governor of Zhili to control the capital by force; It is also stipulated that the appointment of officials above the second level needs the approval of Empress Dowager Cixi to prevent reformists from entering the upper level, and the political reform movement is facing great difficulties.
At this critical moment, Li Duanfen is different from an ordinary bureaucrat, but faces the reality and supports the reform with actions. At the beginning of June, he attended the memorial service of "the urgent task of reform and reform", adding fuel to the fire of reform. Later, he wrote many books and put forward more specific reform ideas, involving politics, culture, education and employment. Looking back at the situation at that time, Liang Qichao said that Li Duanfen "has made official appointments many times, so please open schools, decrees, and open a throne room to swear all major events. He is a minister above two levels, and only one person talks about the New Deal. " ("1898 coup, imperial edict of the New Deal") Kang Youwei praised Li Duanfen as "a person who opposed sparseness, promoted innovation and promoted officials" at that time. Judging from the evaluation of Kang and Liang, the two reformist leaders, they should definitely be the most effective leaders who supported the political reform among the senior officials of the imperial court in the Reform Movement.
1898 was dismissed and sent to Xinjiang for recommending Kang and Liang to rebel and actively participating in the political reform. 190 1 Pardon due to illness and return to my hometown of Guiyang.
After returning to Guiyang, Li Duanfen was still very concerned about the education in Guizhou, and was hired by the Governor of Guizhou to give lectures at Shi Jing School in Guizhou. 1905 teamed up with Guiyang gentry Yu Dekai, Tang, Ren Kecheng and Hua Zhihong. In a letter to Lin Juvenile, the governor of Guizhou Province, he moved the former Guiyang Fu Middle School to Xueya Cave outside the south gate, renamed it Guiyang Middle School, and later changed it to Guizhou Tongsheng Public Middle School (the predecessor of Guiyang No.1 Middle School). 1907 left a will when he died, and donated all his life savings 1200 silver to Guizhou Tongsheng public middle school.