Gaokao Photo: IC

 


Chinese Vice Premier Sun Chunlan on Monday urged solid work to prepare for gaokao, China's national college entrance examinations, as this year will witness some 11.93 million students sitting at 330,000 exam locations and the participation of 1.02 million invigilators and working personnel, making it the largest organized group activity to be held ahead of the Communist Party of China's 20th National Congress.  

The improving COVID-19 situation in the country has created a sound environment for the preparation of gaokao, Sun said, noting that it required local governments to devote efforts to ensure a safe and stable environment for gaokao goers. 

China has accumulated effective experience in organizing exams during the epidemic, the key is to implement health and COVID-19 monitoring for students and service staff during the exam, and take categorized measures to guarantee every student who is eligible can take the exam, including those who are heavily affected by the pandemic, the Vice Premier said.

Since April, the Ministry of Education (MOE) and National Health Commission had stipulated a working scheme and emergent plan for gaokao during the COVID-19 epidemic, asking cities to arrange separate examination venues and quarantined examination places for students who are in need. 

All COVID-19 cases, either confirmed, asymptomatic cases and close contacts, can take the national entrance exam in separate venues, either hospitals or quarantined venues, the MOE said. Students, teachers and working personnel are recommended to cautiously monitor their health condition 14 days ahead of the exam. 

Sun acknowledged that students who are about to sit for the gaokao this week may have much burden and pressure as they spend quite a long time at home due to COVID-19, ordering proper instructions from teachers must be placed to help them to better adjust to the exam physically and psychologically. 

Students with special needs should be guaranteed with convenience, Sun said. 

Sun made the remarks during her inspection tour of an exam site in a secondary school and a relevant department in charge of the exam in Beijing. She heard local authorities' preparation work via video link and hosted a symposium on the matter.

Sun also underlined the efforts to deliver an impartial, just and secure exam, and the continuous efforts in cracking down on exam cheating with varied measures. 

Global Times