This Day, That Year

Item from China Daily, Sept 9, 1998: The Chinese Minister of Education has announced major changes in middle school education. ... Middle schools must not concentrate solely on offering graduates to colleges but must also train a large and competent labor force to go straight into employment.

Academic results had premium value for centuries in Chinese culture. But reform has tugged at society over the past four decades, as new notions have been introduced and old ones have been challenged.

The ultimate goal of the reform is to steer a gradual departure from what's seen as an overemphasis on paperwork. Students are expected to achieve physical and mental growth that eventually turns them into responsible members of society.