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Migrating college candidates could be left out in cold
By Raymond Zhou (China Daily)
Updated: 2005-08-03 05:45 Solutions
Hong hinted that media exposure for exam migration is a double-edged sword.
"It will propel more relocation, but the government will feel the pressure as
well and pay more attention to the issue."
But Hong does not think the government has much room to manoeuvre.
"Most of the educational resources are at the disposal of local governments,"
he said.
"Look at Shandong and Zhejiang, two of the high-scoring provinces, and then
look at Guangdong, which does not have as severe a problem in college attendance
for local students. Why? Guangdong has set the goal of building itself into an
education powerhouse and has been investing in it accordingly.
"The difficulty will be most acute in those provinces where the economy is
not as vibrant, but education is even weaker," he warned. "But make no mistake.
There'll never be absolute equality when it comes to a specific student."
Students like Li Yang may feel the full force of the struggle for equal
opportunities. Hainan has recently modified its regulations so that property
buyers no longer automatically get residency and national college entrance exam
candidates must spend at least three years at a local high school, which means
Li will again be disqualified next year.
Li could move back home, but if the Hubei government instigates a similar
crackdown on exam immigrants he will find himself in limbo. To add insult to
injury, the cut-off score for elite science schools this year in Hubei turned
out to be lower than in Hainan - 524 compared to 542.
Unlike two-thirds of online survey respondents, Hong has little sympathy for
Li Yang. "What kind of influence would it have on him if he had got through by
exploiting a loophole in the system? He would think that he could always cut
corners later in life, and that is bad for a teenager."
But should the future of a bright young man be ruined because his parents
made an unwise decision two years ago?
Hong was philosophical: "If this young man is really as brilliant and
multi-talented as those who know him have claimed, then he does not even need to
worry about the exam system.
"Top American schools like Princeton offer scholarships to this kind of
student every year. Top-rated schools in Hong Kong and Singapore would also want
to sign them up. He should broaden his horizons."
However, all that most migrant students and their parents can do is to take
financial or legal risks to get ahead in the scramble for university
places.
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