As modern schools were established in Qing Dynasty, shortage of teachers becomes a severe problem. Believed that normal schools were extremely important to train teachers, Zhang Zhidong started some normal schools.

Hubei Normal School

Hubei Normal School was opened in Wuchang in the 28th Guangxu Year (1902). The curriculums cover educational psychology, teaching methods and school management m as well as classes for ordinary school. It is he first complete normal school in Chinese modern education history.

Hubei and Hunan General Normal School

Zhang Zhidong allocated 43, 200 liang of sliver in the 30th Guangxu Year (1904) to build Hube and Hunan General Normal School. A junior primary school and a senior one were set up in the school for students to practice teaching.

About 700 students were recruited.

Li Siguang (1889-1971), China’s famous geologist, was graduated from the school.

Hubei Normal College

It was set up in the 30th Guangxu Year (1904), making the beginning of China’ in-service training college for teachers.