School Iron Gate Relaxed

Beijing Morning Post February 27

The Ministry of Education has said that provincial education authorities should be more flexible over admitting students to primary school on the basis of their date of birth. They should consider students’ personal conditions instead of sticking to the traditional deadline of September 1.

Children born after September 1 have to go to primary school at the age of 7. But those born earlier can go to school at the age of 6. This prompts many mothers to opt for cesarean births so that the baby is born before the September deadline. Against this backdrop, relaxing the birth date criterion would be more apt for education and students’ personal growth.

It’s possible that in the future, primary schools can hold tests to decide whether a child can go to school, regardless of age. Before admitting pupils, schools can comprehensively test their learning ability, as well as physical and psychological conditions. If a child proves fit, even if he or she is younger than 6, he or she should be admitted. It’s not a wise practice to take children’s age as the only yardstick for measuring if they are fit to go to school.

However, there’s a worry that some education officials might take advantage of this more relaxed regulation for influence-peddling, giving rise to new forms of unfairness. Whether the new regulation can be implemented in a way that benefits the child and the child’s family, while also ensuring fairness, is a test for the authorities.