1923, he organized a seminar on civilian education, compiled a thousand-word course on civilian education, traveled to more than a dozen provinces and cities in China, and devoted himself to civilian education. He sent the "Thousand-character Textbook for the Common People" as a teaching material to the common people's homes and urged every household to read and write. Most of his activities are funded by his own books.
On one occasion, he got the manuscript fee of 1000 yuan, took it home and locked it in the cupboard. My sister, who is in charge of all the housework, saw it and asked him, "There are old and young people at home, and there is not much money. Can you leave 1/4 for home use? " Tao Xingzhi thought about it and said gently, "I'm going to run Xiaozhuang Normal School at the foot of Laoshan Mountain in Nanjing, and this money will be used as school funding." Although our family is poor, we can make ends meet. China's 340 million farmers have no food, let alone education. To run a school with this money is to burn incense for farmers and try our best to help them. You can save some money at home and help me do something big! "Sister understood his meaning and nodded silently.
From 65438 to 0927, Tao Xingzhi opened Xiaozhuang Normal School to carry out rural education activities. 1April, 930, the reactionary Kuomintang government closed the school by force and wanted Tao Xingzhi.
1932, Tao Xingzhi founded Shanhai engineering group, early shift engineering group and labor kindergarten in Shanghai successively, and continued to carry out universal education campaign in China.
1July, 939, China was in the period of War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression. Tao Xingzhi founded Yucai School for needy children in Hechuan County, near Chongqing, Sichuan Province. After the general courses, he opened music, drama, painting, literature, society, nature, dance and other courses for some children with special talents to cultivate talents. This school is well run and has trained many professionals for the country. The political situation was tense and the economy was very difficult. In order to run a school, Tao Xingzhi often has to run around to raise funds, and life is very difficult.
One day in midsummer, Gao Ying, a student, heard that there were some good books in the bookstore and wanted to read them. But I don't know the way, so I want to ask Tao Xingzhi to go with him. He came to Mr. Wang's window, and the sight in front of him startled him: Mr. Wang was shirtless, sweating all over his face, and was studying at his desk. Gao Ying was embarrassed to tell her husband the purpose of her visit. Unexpectedly, Tao Xingzhi quickly replied: "Not now." Gao Ying was disappointed. He was very surprised. Miss Gao likes being with students and is very willing to help others. What happened today? Tao Xingzhi seemed to see his doubts and pointed to the shirt hanging outside the window and said, "I'm glad to accompany you to the bookstore, but my shirt is not dry yet." Will you come back in an hour? "Gao Ying looked at the wet white shirt and thought, Sir, make excuses? He said "forget it then" and went back unhappily.
An hour later, Tao Xingzhi came to Gao Ying with a smile, wearing a white shirt that hasn't been dried thoroughly. Gao Ying is still sulking in bed. When she met her husband, she got up and went shopping together. Later, Gao Ying still couldn't figure it out, so she went to ask Vice President Ma. Mr. Ma said: "Everyone knows that Tao Xingzhi is a celebrity, but who knows that he is almost at the end of his rope for you children. In order to insist on running a school, he sent his coat and tweed trousers to the pawnshop, and the money he got was used to pay for a day's food. In summer, he only has a decent shirt, which is not surprising! " Listening to Teacher Ma's words, Gao Ying's eyes were red, and her ears echoed with what Teacher Tao had said in class: "For the masses to work hard, we eat grass and do it; For the suffering children, we have to eat and do! " In front of him, Mr. Tao drank porridge with his classmates and encouraged everyone to "tighten their belts and tide over the difficulties together". He seems to understand that Mr. Tao is willing to give up everything for running a school.