Education reform needed urgently

Comment on "School Equality and Quality" (China Daily, Sept 7)

As a US college student, I found the article both intriguing and eye opening. It indicated that some rural schools in China could be as much as 50 years behind the ones in big cities like Beijing. Fifty years is a long time, and signifies the huge gulf in the quality of education in urban and rural areas.

The Chinese government's efforts to modernize the country have been commendable, and it seems that it is intent on addressing and solving the education problem. The allocation of 4 percent of the country's GDP for education is praiseworthy, but it is still much less than that of many developed countries.

The government has acknowledged the importance of education not only for individuals, but also for the country as a whole. Nevertheless, it has to ensure that the funds are more evenly distributed among the population if it wants to see true educational reform take place.

Only through the combined strength and intelligence of its people can a nation realize its true potential. If China wishes to see its image continue to grow on the world stage, it must reform its education sector and accord priority to equality.

Nicholas Fontiex, via e-mail

Readers' comments are welcome. Please send your e-mail to opinion@chinadaily.com.cn or letters@chinadaily.com.cn or to the individual columnists. China Daily reserves the right to edit all letters. Thank you.

(China Daily 10/12/2012 page9)