Xiushu, a bunch of dried meat, is still one of the tributes in Confucius Memorial Ceremony. [File photo]

Teacher's payment

In ancient China, teachers' payment is called Xiushu, which means a bunch of dried meat. That's because meat is a luxurious in that time. Only aged people in ordinary families or rich people were fortunate enough to eat meat. People sent teachers dried meat to show their respects when private schools first emerged. 

Normally, a teacher's Xiushu includes salary, accommodation and festival gifts. There was no fixed tuition fee, generally the parents paid teachers according to their household income. Both money and basic foodstuff can be paid in exchange for tuition.

On entrance day and the last day of an academic year, parents used to send extra money or gifts to teachers. Especially when children attend school for the first time, a gift is a must-do for all the parents. 

Masters of family-run private schools also sent teachers extra money or extra gifts on three festivals and two birthdays. Three festivals include the Dragon Boat Festival, Mid-Autumn Day and the Spring Festival, while the two birthdays include Confucius' birthday as well as the teacher's birthday.