A Big Day in China and …
Yesterday was a big day in China for millions of Chinese students, their parents and teachers. Nine and a half million students started the first of two days of examinations for college entrance. The exams are known as “gaokao” and the seen by many as the most important days in a student’s life. The exam result determines which university or college a student is eligible to enter.
Vehicle horn blowing was forbidden and construction sites were shut down in Beijing in order to create a quiet and undisturbed environment for students. (Horn blowing in Beijing is minimal compared with other cities.) Throughout the country police, volunteers and others are out in force to ensure the process ran smoothly and /or to cope with any sort of disturbance or disaster, natural or otherwise. Special arrangements were made for students requiring examination in established disaster zones e.g. Yushu earthquake area or impending disaster zones, areas of southern China at risk of flooding and landslides.
Corruption has been a feature of the exams in past years. Cheating occurs at a very sophisticated level, hence electronic surveillance. Various forms of surveillance are undertaken. Examinations were held in Imperial days to determine entitlement to positions within court and the equivalent of the civil service. Cheating was common then too. The problem is that then and now, life outside of the education system was/is not financially and culturally attractive. So education has, and is seen to be, the holy grail. China is changing so that the clever and determined ones can make a suitable life without a college or university education. However, it is still far from easy. Millions of university and college students are without jobs, or the entry level jobs they aspire to, and are known in the media as “ants.” Apparently they live in crowded conditions in particular areas of Beijing constantly seeking employment and remaining optimistic.
According to yesterday’s English TV report about half of the students will get a placement somewhere. Last semester one of my bright first year students told me that she cried for days because she missed out on her choice of college by one mark. Based on where she wanted to go and her current situation that one mark has changed her life.
The whole system of college and university placement seems rather confusing. From what I have read the reality is that there is room for individuality at the provincial level. However, and at whatever level it is managed, it means that some students are placed in courses and classes they don’t want and/or are ill equipped to manage. I have, and have had English students who should not be in my classes. The college is not equipped to deal with students requiring remedial assistance in English. When I raised the issue I was told it was under consideration.
On Sunday when I was wandering the streets with a student we passed a rather well kept, expensive looking school. I was told it was the best school in Xingtai, the Number One School. I believe all schools have numbers. Also think it is the one where a couple of Canadians I met last year teach. I was invited to sit in on a lesson but was busy at the time and never followed it up. They are there because their section of the school follows a Canadian syllabus. All subjects are taught in English so the school needs teachers capable of teaching science subjects and Canadian history and so on. As it is connected with Canada, successful students are eligible to attend Canadian universities. This is one way of having two chances at university entry. When we walked past we saw students sitting in groups on lawns and walking around trying to memorise information.
Many students go directly from Chinese high schools to foreign universities. Others attend high school in a foreign country to ensure a better chance of achieving university entry. I can remember when I was in my final year of high school that we had three Asian students attend my school for exactly that reason. The difference is that none came from China. In those days the Chinese ones were busy being culturally educated in the countryside.
Some of my third year ex-students have a thirst for knowledge and a desire for the extra money that a university degree can command. After months of written work and study some of them recently sat an entrance examination designed for college graduates. From what one told me, many are unsuccessful, and success only entitles entry to certain universities within the province. So it is possible for the truly determined and able to give correct written responses to get a second bite at the cherry, which sounds like it isn’t the sweetest one on the tree.
If you want to learn more about “gaukao’ you can google or read here http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/culture/2010-06/07/c_13337798.htm
The photos are of the school we saw.