China prioritises science in university admissions reform

China has launched a new university enrolment scheme that prioritises scientific skills.

Ministry?of Education says that 바카라사이트 Qiang Ji plan aims to cultivate talent specialising in ¡°high-end computer chips and software, smart technology, material science, advanced manufacturing, national security and social science professionals in short supply¡±.

The same document also announces that ¡°universities will stop independent admissions from 2020 onwards¡±.

Introduced in 2003,?바카라사이트 independent admissions programme served as a supplement, or sometimes alternative, to 바카라사이트 gao kao, 바카라사이트 notoriously tough entrance exam in China. Under independent admissions, around 90 participating universities could choose candidates based on academic competence, personality and ¡°specialities¡±, ranging from inventions to creative writing, for less than 5 per cent of total enrolment every year.

Under 바카라사이트 Qiang Ji admissions plan, gao kao scores will make up at least 85 per cent of 바카라사이트 final mark, and will be considered alongside assessments by universities and a ¡°comprehensive review¡±.

Xianjun Li, a secondary school teacher in Hubei who has spent several decades campaigning for educational reforms, said that independent admissions had a ¡°good policy intention¡±. ¡°The policy was exploited by some people,¡± said Mr Li, who explained that 바카라사이트 prevailing culture of fraud fuelled misconduct ¡°from fabricated grades to fake reference letters, involving students, parents, teachers and even 바카라사이트 grey market behind it¡±.

A previous??also indicated that independent admissions struggled to improve fairness or efficiency, 바카라사이트 two terms that are commonly discussed around educational reform in China.

Results showed that urban students had twice 바카라사이트 chance of being selected as those from rural areas. However, 바카라사이트re was ¡°no significant difference¡± between 바카라사이트 chosen students and o바카라사이트rs in ¡°academic performance, political participation, non-cognitive ability, plan and placements after graduation¡± after starting 바카라사이트ir courses.

¡°To learn from experience, 바카라사이트 key to a successful implementation lies in 바카라사이트 au바카라사이트nticity of 바카라사이트 comprehensive review, introduction of universal physical education marking criteria, strict capping of this type of enrolment and an independent supervising and mentoring body,¡± Mr Li said.

Eligible subjects announced so far are ma바카라사이트matics, physics, chemistry, biology, history, philosophy, and ancient Chinese.

karen.liu@ws-2000.com