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Progress of Western Education in China and Siam
"Progress of Western Education in China and Siam" is a historical account compiled by the United States Bureau of Education, likely written during the late 19th century. The book focuses primarily on the introduction and development of Western educational practices and ideas in both China and Siam (modern-day Thailand), detailing the progress made in these regions towards embracing foreign knowledge systems. The content of the book provides a series of dispatches from American diplomats and consuls, documenting various educational initiatives taken in China and Siam. In China, there is an emphasis on the establishment of schools, including the notable Tung wen Kwan College, which aimed to train interpreters and officials in foreign knowledge; however, the challenges of maintaining student engagement and adequate support from Chinese authorities are highlighted. In Siam, the book discusses the King's initiative to introduce Western education, focusing on a government school in Bangkok that taught both English and the Siamese language, although broader educational reforms remained slow due to conservative opposition. Overall, the text offers insights into the shifting educational landscapes in these two countries during a time of significant change and modernization.