People like us who live in North America have no idea how strict, competitive, and unforgiving the educational system in China really is. Here in North America, we receive a free education from grade 1 to 12. And after we finish high school, we do whatever we like, such as getting a higher education or join the work force. Here in North America, we can get a job even if we do not have a higher education. And we can work our way up from anywhere; we can climb the social ladder and achieve the American dream.
But in China, things are completely different. Even though high school education is mandatory, its cost is not covered by the government. Many school claim it will provide the education for free, but all of them will end up charging the tuition anyway.
First, in order to get into any high school, everyone has to take a standardized test at the end of their middle school year. How well they did on the test will determine whether a high school will accept them. This is a lot like applying for universities. But of course, there are ways to get into a high school if the score is too low, also known as “taking the back door”. Many parents will use their “connections” with the official making the admission decision. Another way is to get friendly with the teachers at the school, and have them pull some of their strings. And, of course, money can always buy one’s way into a school of choice.
Within each school is a hierarchy system. At the top are the sons and daughters of rich parents, and occasionally, a true generous, which would all be put into a class that “guarantee” admission into the top universities. A step below them are the normal people, who got accepted by their own effort. Then, at the very bottom, are the trouble makers. They don’t pay attention in class, don’t do homework, and rarely make any effort to change. They are despised by everyone above them. The general trend in china is that no one wants to help the kids who are struggling with classwork, not even the teachers. Once a kid has been labeled as “bad”, his future might as well be over.
And the thing is, all the kids get forced into after school enrichment programs that make the smarter kids smarter and the dumber kids dumber. This is like a vicious cycle that makes the rich kids more successful and the poorer kids struggle.
Eventually all everyone either suffer through four years of high school or breeze through those same four years, and they arrive at the threshold for universities. Virtually the same thing repeat itself after four years, and the same kids are still either struggling or reaching new highs.
How well one will fare with the educational system in china is mostly determined by how much money one’s parents have. The educational process in the west would seem ridiculous in their minds.
No comments:
Post a Comment