Ningbo's youth dive into innovative night learning experiences

Night schools, once associated with nostalgia, have recently gained popularity and taken on a fresh outlook, becoming an integral part of the nightlife for young residents of Ningbo.

Ningbo Open University, in collaboration with the Jiangbei District Bureau of Human Resources and Social Security, recently introduced a Citizen Night School project. The first session, offering 737 spots for trial classes, filled up quickly.

Night schools are not a new concept. They are a form of social education aimed at improving educational standards and enhancing cultural literacy, and now they are undergoing a modern transformation.

Unlike the "night school wave" of the 1980s, which primarily focused on in-service education, today's curriculum is more diverse and aligned with contemporary trends. From short video production to AI fundamentals, pet care to floral arrangements, novice parenting to parent-child magic, workplace law to business etiquette - there is a wide array of courses on skills, lifestyle aesthetics, parenting, hobbies, and more. 

Ningbo's Citizen Night School also offers affordable pricing, with some courses priced at the cost of just "a cup of coffee" per session. The instructors are professionals and experts in their respective fields. Classes are scheduled mainly on weekday evenings and weekends.

A resident surnamed Yu, who is a white collar worker, managed to secure a spot in the first session of the night school.

"Attending night school has reignited my long-lost motivation for learning. It’s a great way to break the habit of mindlessly scrolling through my phone after work, learn new skills, and make friends with similar interests. It's a relaxed and enjoyable social experience, combining learning and recreation," she said.

According to Xia Min, deputy dean of the Social Training College of Ningbo Open University, the current participants are predominantly aged between 25 and 50, with children attending the parent-child classes mostly around 10 years old. Women make up the majority of the learners.

Xia explained that young people are willing to invest in their hobbies, and the Citizen Night School caters to their needs by offering courses that align with their interests, creating an environment where they can learn new skills and make new friends, allowing them to experience "high-quality leisure."

Ningbo Open University has ten colleges and learning centers across the city. In the future, the Citizen Night School will introduce public online courses and establish learning communities.