Ending college exam bonus marks a fair move

A student raises his arm in excitement after finishing the National College Entrance Exam (NCEE) at the Guiyang No 6 High School in Guiyang, capital ofSouthwest China's Guizhou province, June 8, 2014.[Photo/Xinhua]

Minister of Education Yuan Guiren said in a recent interview that all national-level bonus marks for the annual National College Entrance Exam, or gaokao, will be cancelled in 2015, while over 60 percent of the province-level bonuses will be cut. Bonus marks for students with special abilities, such as sporting prowess, have long been criticized for being unfair. Comments:

When the authorities introduced the bonus marks years ago, they aimed at making the gaokao fairer because some students have special abilities but fail to get high scores in the national exams. Yet, corrupt officials have used loopholes in the policy, and falsified certificates to get the bonus marks for their children. This is a good example of corruption ruining a good policy.

Beijing Times, March 9

Some scholars warn that the new move might make the gaokao less efficient. But do not forget that the bonus marks have been misused. When fairness as the basic principle of the exam is threatened, the smart choice is to change the policy.

Qianjiang Evening News, March 9

The scandals linked with bonus marks are only part of the corruption in the exam. The root problem is that it still plays a decisive role in a person's future, and families put huge pressure upon children and try every measure possible to get them higher scores in the exam. Only a total reform of education can change this.

Ge Jianxiong, an education professor at Fudan University, March 8

Canceling the bonus policies is not necessarily bad news for students with strong sports or other abilities. They can apply for sports colleges or majors, or join a college team, both of which mean a better future.

Zhong Binglin, president of the Chinese Society of Education, March 9