From Chinese Press

Exams no pretext to close cafs

(China Daily)
Updated: 2010-06-03 07:49

No law says that Internet cafs must be closed in the run-up to the National College Entrance Exam (NCEE) to help students concentrate on their studies. So no government should do so, says article in China Youth Daily. Excerpts:

The government of Linxian county in Shanxi province shut down all Internet cafs temporarily to supposedly help students better prepare for the NCEE. Though a local official later conceded that forcing cyber cafs to shut down was "illegal", he insisted that the move was aimed at highlighting the importance of education.

We know how important the NCEEs are for students and their families. But no matter how good a local government's intentions are it cannot force a cyber caf to close down without a valid and legal reason. If some officials think that temporary closure of Internet bars would create a serious atmosphere of learning, they are ignorant of the real value of education.

Since Linxian officials know their action was illegal, they should compensate the cyber caf owners for their losses and apologize to netizens in the county. If the authorities don't respect and follow the law, how can they safeguard people's right and interests?

(China Daily 06/03/2010 page9)