Universities need fair competition

Education department authorities have rubbished rumors that "985" and "211" projects have been cancelled. The "985" and "211" projects are decades-old national education plans to build some key institutions of higher learning in China. But it is high time that the government stopped running institutions of higher learning in a biased manner, says an article in Beijing News. Excerpts:

In response to some netizens' claim that the "985" and "211" projects will be abolished, the Ministry of Education has said it has no such plan. But the ministry's denial cannot change the fact that there is indeed a need to review projects such as "985" and "211".

The "985" and '211" projects are products of past educational development plans which were dominated by administrative departments. But the latest education program unveiled by the top authorities is to increase universities' power to operate independently and reduce administrative intervention in the management and assessment of departments.