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Chinese society keeps intense focus on education

Editor: lishouen 丨CCTV.com

06-03-2016 11:48 BJT

By Jianyu Hou, Freelancer based in Cleveland, OH., USA

One of my American friends told me that there was a Chinese student in his class when he was in high school. In his first year at school in the United States, he couldn't understand English and just knew the alphabet.

Yet gradually he caught up with his studies and had become the valedictorian of the graduating class. "How could he do that?" my friend said. "Until now, I cannot imagine how hard he had worked at school. English was not his first language, but he performed better than all of our native speakers."

Well, there had been many similar stories in China. Chinese students, who performed just average in China, but they achieved stellar rankings in American schools. That's due to high-academic competition, and the Chinese care about education very much.

Chinese society respects well-educated people

When my grandfather was young, he held The Four Books and The Five Classics (《四书五经》) at his wedding to show his respect for knowledge. The ancient Chinese didn't disrespect paper that contained written text, which could not be used to wrap up something or wipe dirty stains.

The Chinese also admired the top universities that have transformed into hot tourist spots for Chinese parents to bring their children. Additionally, the Chinese TV series Tiger Mom (《虎妈猫爸》) broadcast last year showed a typical Chinese family dealing with their daughter's education.

The Tiger Mom sold her large apartment in Beijing to purchase a much smaller one in the best school district in the city, aiming to send their daughter to the best elementary school in the capital city. Apartments located in outstanding academic districts are very expensive. 

A friend said her classmate sold her apartment in Tongzhou District, Beijing, so she could buy an apartment only 1/3 the size in Haidian District, where most good schools in Beijing are located. Many Chinese parents want their children to play with fellow students who perform well at school, hoping that would inspire them.

Strong family values

Many Chinese believe that knowledge can change their own fates as well as their family's. Parents give the best to their children, sacrificing their time and money and holding high expectations for them.

Children are expected to study hard to support their family in the future. Unlike American parents, Chinese parents feel obligated to pay college tuition for their offspring.

Chinese families want young people to obtain higher education without worrying about financial concerns. In the movie, American Dreams in China (《中国合伙人》), when a poor student had received an admission letter from Peking University, the whole village had collected money to pay his tuition.

That's based on the true story of Yu Minhong, co-founder of New Oriental Education & Technology Group, the first Chinese educational institution listed in NASDAQ. Yu is a philanthropist, repaying society by founding schools.   

Government gave huge grants to compensate public education

Nearly all of China's top colleges are public, accepting grants from the Chinese government. In 2015, the government had distributed 4.15% of GDP (gross domestic product) to education at all levels, totaling 2,642 billion Yuan (approximately 412.8 billion US dollars).

Chinese colleges admit students mainly-based on their scores in the National College Entrance Examination (NEMT, Gao Kao 高考).  Each year after NEMT scores are announced, the top universities recruit students with high scores by promising tuition-waivers and other financial benefits.

NEMT is a key factor of social mobility for smart and hardworking young people from poor families. Once admitted to public universities, a Chinese college student only pays 800 US dollars for tuition and 200 US dollars for housing at a college-owned dormitory with four students or more in each room every year.

College students can eat nutritious food at low prices (less than two dollars per meal on-average) at college restaurants, and get access to cheap public transportation tickets. NEMT is held on June 7-9 annually, representing one of the most important events for test takers and their families.

Many Chinese families have placed much priority on the NEMT. Parents even encourage their kids in kindergarten to start studying.  In America, better colleges charge higher tuition fees, which exclude many poor smart kids from entering the top private colleges. Some young people have chosen to enlist in the US Military to benefit from the GI Bill that would pay their tuition.

American higher education system is considered as a "dropout factory" on account of expensive tuition and high interest on student loans. Fortunately, I completed my education in China, saving lots of money for my parents. Yes, it was highly-competitive, when I look back, but I appreciate the support I received from my family and society. 

Jianyu Hou, Freelancer based in Cleveland, OH., USA

 

( The opinions expressed here do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Panview or CCTV.com. )

 

 

Panview offers a new window of understanding the world as well as China through the views, opinions, and analysis of experts. We also welcome outside submissions, so feel free to send in your own editorials to "globalopinion@vip.cntv.cn" for consideration.

Panview offers an alternative angle on China and the rest of the world through the analyses and opinions of experts. We also welcome outside submissions, so feel free to send in your own editorials to "globalopinion@vip.cntv.cn" for consideration.

 

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