Empty seats at innovative college
By Zhang Xuanchen |
June 8, 2011, Wednesday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
ALL 45 students admitted by a Chinese university piloting education reform boycotted the national entrance examination yesterday, despite the education ministry's warning that the reform cannot sidestep the country's education system.
No one showed up at two examination rooms in the South University of Science and Technology of China in Shenzhen City in south China's Guangdong Province, which resulted in the cancelation of the annual test's first day.
The students won't get diplomas that are recognized by the Chinese government if they don't sit the exam required under the country's education system.
Instead, they will receive degrees and diplomas from the university itself, which used its own rules, instead of the national examination, to recruit in March its first class of students it aims to cultivate into "innovative talents."
"The absence from the test is not a denial of the entrance examination-based education system," Zhu Qingshi, the university's head, told the Xin'an Evening News. "The test remains China's one and only fair way of selecting talents. But we should also leave space for other methods to choose talents."
"They are not sacrificing their government-certified diplomas but gaining a rewarding experience. When they grow up, they will be very proud of this experience," Zhu added.
One father, who didn't give his name, said: "My son has faith in his school and the road he opted for. As his parents, we have faith in him and support his choice."
Established in 2009, the university this year launched its own examination system and diplomas. However, a Ministry of Education spokesman said the school should ensure its reform was in accordance with law and the country's basic education system to protect students' rights.
In response, its first class of 45 students and their parents posted an open letter online, vowing they wouldn't attend the college entrance exam.
"The students don't refuse to take the national exam because they object to it but because they stand by their own choice," one student's mother told The Beijing News. "They chose the SUSTC because it was their best fit."
No one showed up at two examination rooms in the South University of Science and Technology of China in Shenzhen City in south China's Guangdong Province, which resulted in the cancelation of the annual test's first day.
The students won't get diplomas that are recognized by the Chinese government if they don't sit the exam required under the country's education system.
Instead, they will receive degrees and diplomas from the university itself, which used its own rules, instead of the national examination, to recruit in March its first class of students it aims to cultivate into "innovative talents."
"The absence from the test is not a denial of the entrance examination-based education system," Zhu Qingshi, the university's head, told the Xin'an Evening News. "The test remains China's one and only fair way of selecting talents. But we should also leave space for other methods to choose talents."
"They are not sacrificing their government-certified diplomas but gaining a rewarding experience. When they grow up, they will be very proud of this experience," Zhu added.
One father, who didn't give his name, said: "My son has faith in his school and the road he opted for. As his parents, we have faith in him and support his choice."
Established in 2009, the university this year launched its own examination system and diplomas. However, a Ministry of Education spokesman said the school should ensure its reform was in accordance with law and the country's basic education system to protect students' rights.
In response, its first class of 45 students and their parents posted an open letter online, vowing they wouldn't attend the college entrance exam.
"The students don't refuse to take the national exam because they object to it but because they stand by their own choice," one student's mother told The Beijing News. "They chose the SUSTC because it was their best fit."
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