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Chinese pupils feel exam pressure Chinese pupils feel exam pressure
(3 days later)
By Michael Bristow BBC News, Beijing Many parents accompany their children to the exam centres and wait outsideBy Michael Bristow BBC News, Beijing Many parents accompany their children to the exam centres and wait outside
The narrow road outside Beijing's No 55 Middle School is usually crowded just before morning lessons, but this week it was busier than usual.The narrow road outside Beijing's No 55 Middle School is usually crowded just before morning lessons, but this week it was busier than usual.
Traffic wardens blocked off the road to normal vehicles; a police car and an ambulance were on standby. It was exam day.Traffic wardens blocked off the road to normal vehicles; a police car and an ambulance were on standby. It was exam day.
More than 10 million students from across the country are taking the university entrance exams, being held over three days.More than 10 million students from across the country are taking the university entrance exams, being held over three days.
It is the biggest exam process in the world, taking place at more than 8,000 test centres.It is the biggest exam process in the world, taking place at more than 8,000 test centres.
These exams are the most important in a Chinese student's academic life, and will determine where they go to university and their future careers.These exams are the most important in a Chinese student's academic life, and will determine where they go to university and their future careers.
Important momentImportant moment
Outside the No 55 Middle School on Monday there were some nervous pupils, many of whom had taken extra classes to cram for the exams.Outside the No 55 Middle School on Monday there were some nervous pupils, many of whom had taken extra classes to cram for the exams.
"I didn't want my parents to escort me here. That would have only added to the pressure and made me more stressed," said student Cao Fengwei."I didn't want my parents to escort me here. That would have only added to the pressure and made me more stressed," said student Cao Fengwei.
The performance of my students will have a direct impact on my job and the reputation of my school Lu ShunjieTeacher, No 55 Middle School href="/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/8084582.stm">China's hi-tech answer to cheats The performance of my students will have a direct impact on my job and the reputation of my school Lu ShunjieTeacher, No 55 Middle School href="/2/hi/asia-pacific/8084582.stm">China's hi-tech answer to cheats
But some parents had come to the exam centre with their children, despite the pouring rain.But some parents had come to the exam centre with their children, despite the pouring rain.
Clutching umbrellas, many stood at the school gates long after their sons and daughters had gone in.Clutching umbrellas, many stood at the school gates long after their sons and daughters had gone in.
"This is the most important moment for any student. They have studied for more than 10 years just for these few days of exams," said one mother, Liu Zhihua."This is the most important moment for any student. They have studied for more than 10 years just for these few days of exams," said one mother, Liu Zhihua.
Students sit a range of exams that test their abilities in subjects such as maths, Chinese, science and history.Students sit a range of exams that test their abilities in subjects such as maths, Chinese, science and history.
A couple of students outside No 55 Middle School said they hoped to study English at university if they did well in the exams.A couple of students outside No 55 Middle School said they hoped to study English at university if they did well in the exams.
Chinese teachers say they feel the pressure as much as their studentsChinese teachers say they feel the pressure as much as their students
"Many people study English because they want to have a bright future and good job," Li Xuemin told the BBC just before she passed through the school gates."Many people study English because they want to have a bright future and good job," Li Xuemin told the BBC just before she passed through the school gates.
Parents are willing to go to great lengths to ensure the students - in many cases their only child - perform well in the exams.Parents are willing to go to great lengths to ensure the students - in many cases their only child - perform well in the exams.
Some book hotel rooms near test centres so their offspring can rest in peace at lunchtime between exams, according to reports.Some book hotel rooms near test centres so their offspring can rest in peace at lunchtime between exams, according to reports.
One mother who had accompanied her son to the No 55 Middle School said she had fed him his favourite meal before the exams - pizza.One mother who had accompanied her son to the No 55 Middle School said she had fed him his favourite meal before the exams - pizza.
Lack of confidenceLack of confidence
Sun Ruigang, the father of another pupil at the school, said he had taken the day off work to come to the exam centre with his son.Sun Ruigang, the father of another pupil at the school, said he had taken the day off work to come to the exam centre with his son.
On Sunday he waited outside the centre with his wife the whole day until the exams had finished. He planned to do the same on Monday.On Sunday he waited outside the centre with his wife the whole day until the exams had finished. He planned to do the same on Monday.
There is enormous pressure on the students to do well in the examsThere is enormous pressure on the students to do well in the exams
"We've got only one son, we feel that our presence here can encourage him to get high marks in the exam. He will have more confidence," said Mr Sun."We've got only one son, we feel that our presence here can encourage him to get high marks in the exam. He will have more confidence," said Mr Sun.
But at least some in China think parents are going too far, including the China Daily, the country's main English-language newspaper.But at least some in China think parents are going too far, including the China Daily, the country's main English-language newspaper.
One editorial said: "It shows the lack of independence of today's 17- and 18-year-olds, as well as the doting parents' lack of confidence in these children.One editorial said: "It shows the lack of independence of today's 17- and 18-year-olds, as well as the doting parents' lack of confidence in these children.
"It would indeed be a big worry if our high school students didn't know how to get to school on their own or feed themselves during the lunch break.""It would indeed be a big worry if our high school students didn't know how to get to school on their own or feed themselves during the lunch break."
But there is not just pressure on the students, one teacher admitted as she waited outside No 55 Middle School to make sure all her pupils turned up.But there is not just pressure on the students, one teacher admitted as she waited outside No 55 Middle School to make sure all her pupils turned up.
"I am as nervous as the students. They have pressure from their studies, we have pressure from society," said teacher Lu Shunjie."I am as nervous as the students. They have pressure from their studies, we have pressure from society," said teacher Lu Shunjie.
"The performance of my students will have a direct impact on my job and the reputation of my school.""The performance of my students will have a direct impact on my job and the reputation of my school."