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The cost of education in China
http://www.sina.com.cn 2004/12/13 11:01  上海英文星报

  What do we believe to be life's most important necessities? Not long ago, most people would answer, "housing, food, transportation and clothing," which have always been seen as the four basic needs of the Chinese. These days however, we need to add another item to this traditional list. Education has not only grown by leaps and bounds in importance, but also developed with the same speed in expense, especially higher education.

  According to a recent survey, only 7.5 per cent of the sample group could easily afford university fees which exceed 5,000 yuan (US$602) every year. More than 51 per cent, both from suburban and urban areas, consider the current fee system above their means.

  People frequently raise the question, "On what grounds are such high university fees based?"

  Before answering this, let's first read some statistics.

  Usually, education fees are proportional to the economic situation of the country. For example, in the United States in 2003, the average annual college fee was US$5,132, which is about 15 per cent of per capita GDP. In China, while per capita GDP is a little above US$1,000, the average university fee was 4,172 yuan (US$502) last year, which means the proportion nearly surpasses 50 per cent.

  The initiative in industrializing education is a way of seeking new growth for China's economy. The term "Education Industrialization," first used by Stanford University, was aimed at transferring knowledge and techniques from universities directly into socially productive forces. It brought about Silicon Valley, which has given great impetus to the American economy. However, in China, this term equals skyrocketing college fees and the expansion of college sizes. Instead of stimulating consumption, parents begin to save money for their child's future education even before its birth. In a larger sense, it withered people's consumption capabilities.

  Another result is that it laid a heavier burden on students from rural areas. Going to college was considered the only way these youngsters could change their lives and the underprivileged conditions of their families. With the striking increase in college fees, it is now harder for them to realize this collegiate dream.

  Thus, the demographics of student bodies changed dramatically. The proportion of students from rural areas once accounted for 60 per cent of all college students. Now, it is less than 30 per cent. It's worrying that the majority of college students are now from "well-off" families who barely understand the real situations faced by those in poor and remote areas. In the coming years, high fees will further exacerbate the uneven development between rich and poor.

  The increase of college fees doesn't reflect an increase in teaching quality at these institutions. With the growth of recruitment numbers every year, some colleges are short of qualified professors and equipment. Accordingly, there have been more and more big classes, which often have more than 80 students. The teachers have almost no time to communicate with their students as they are also busy rushing from one class to another. In the labs, two or three students often share a single piece of equipment.

  The cycle doesn't end with students' graduation. With the large sums spent on tertiary education, students and their parents are often extremely disappointed if the student fails to find a job which can pay back the investment.

  The relationship between colleges and students should not merely be seen as providers and consumers, since a good tertiary education benefits both the individual student and society as a whole. Similarly, if education veers from its appointed role, the aftermath will be shouldered by China as a whole.


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