Southeast University Admits Jiangsu Student for Writing Gaokao Essay in Classical Chinese

This boy took a risk on his college entrance exam and it paid off.
Jiangsu's essay prompt this year is "Green Life" (绿色生活)

Translation: 东南大学预录用文言文写作文考生(组图). Originally from Yangtze Evening Post （扬子晚报)

Vice President, deputy secretary Liu Bo (刘波) gives the admission notice to Wang Yunfei (王云飞). Photo by Shi Jutao (时巨涛)

A copy of Wang's essay (Click to enlarge)

11 a.m. yesterday in the Rugao High (如皋中学) conference room, Wang Bugao (王步高), expert in Classical Chinese and Professor of Chinese Language and Literature at Southeast University, printed "Wang Yunfei" on an early admission notice. The notice was then personally handed over to Wang Yunfei by Liu Bo herself, who holds positions of deputy secretary and vice president. Wang Yufei is the first student to be admitted by Southeast University (东南大学) where he will be studying civil engineering.

Deputy secretary visits Rugao to "grab" the special talent

Wang Yunfei who was born and raised in the rural part of Jiangsu suddenly found him the center of spotlight when his college entrance exam essay appeared in the news. The essay, written in piantiwen, has even classical Chinese experts singing high praises. Ever since our newspaper ran the June 26 article about his composition, Wang Yunfei has been continuously receiving media requests for interviews. He was stopped by yet another group of reporters when he came back to the Rugao campus yesterday morning. When asked "what do you most want to do right now," he answered, "Sleep. I am so tired."

The media is not the only group to extend the olive branch to Wang. Many universities have offered him admission. In the end, Southeast University won.

Vice President Liu Bo said that their interest was greatly piqued by the Yangtze Evening Post piece about a Classical Chinese gaokao essay, but it was not until the 26th that they learned the student's identity. It so happened that he is from Rugao High School, the first high school outside of Nanjing to become affiliated with Southeast. Making the university even more anxious to admit this student is the fact that Wang Yunfei plans to major in engineering, and the institution has some very strong engineering programs. Once Southeast verified with the provincial testing agency that Wang Yunfei indeed wrote the excellent essay, Deputy Director Feng Jianming (冯建明) reported the student's information to recruitment and began contacting Wang Yunfei. Southeast eventually decided to early-admit Wang Yunfei into its prestigious civil engineering department and completed all requisite paperwork within a day. "We didn't recruit a student. We got a talent." Feng Jianming declared with satisfaction.

Beida loses out

The reporter discovered that Beijing University (abbr Beida. It is China's equivalent of Harvard) recruiters were also quite interested in Wang. Unfortunately they lost this talent to Southeast who managed to be a step ahead. Besides, Wang is stubborn. Once set on his course, he cannot be swayed. "I made a verbal promise to Southeast. A man should have integrity, and my dreams remain unchanged. I must study engineering, so Southeast is a good choice."

Science and engineering students also need culture

Professor of Chinese Language and Literature Wang Bugao accompanied Southeast administrators to Rugao. He was very impressed with Wang's work. Not only was the central idea sound, but also writing a pensive essay about the man-caused destruction to nature in an hour and half, using classical Chinese, is no small feat. The piece was well-organized and the transitions were smooth. "It is very precious coming from a high school student, because most Beida and Tsinghua students have not reached this level." Said Professor Wang.

Wang Yunfei scored 384 on his gaokao. Southeast made an exception admitting him. "Our university has always been partial to students with unique talents. And we are committed to providing them with a good environment." Liu Bo claimed. In fact, Southeast has had a long relationship with traditional Chinese culture, because it is the only "institution for higher-education to be built in palaces." Its campus sits directly on top of palace grounds that served six dynasties. Both Yongle Encyclopedia (永乐大典) and Zhaoming Wenxuan (昭明文选) were compiled here. It once was the site for the Imperial College (国子监) and has been a place of scholarly learning for more than 639 years. "Students who are accomplished in traditional Chinese culture should be sought out by schools." Liu Bo believed.

Liu further explained that the sentiments expressed in Wang's essay, concerns over mankind's relationship with the environment and its humanitarian implications, are much desired qualities in science and engineering people. She hoped that Wang Yunfei will participate in poetry clubs or even establish literature clubs of his own in college.

• Reporter's note
  

From "Death of Chitu" to "Classical Chinese Wizard"

Today's piece puts the perfect punctuation mark to our "Classical Chinese Wizard" series. I am sincerely glad for Wang Yunfei. The string of developments reminds one of the 2001 gaokao essay "Death of Chitu （赤兔之死）," and I too started that news coverage. The two compositions are similar: the former written in ancient vernacular and the latter in parallel prose style. The two sets of news reports also echo one another. We provided the first spark to what were to become unstoppable wildfires that ultimately changed the gaokao fate of two pupils.

Some people likened the young students to Ma Nuo (马诺), attributing their sudden celebrity status to media hype and manipulation. The writer does not deny the power of internet and tradition media, but there are more behind their rise to fame.

Both ancient vernacular and parallel prose style are forms of writing increasing distant from our world. In addition to curiosity, the public's heightened attention to "Death of Chitu" to "Classical Chinese Wizard" came as a result of amazement and admiration--we recognize its beauty even though we are unable to write in such a way. Don't be misled by arguments like "propagandizing these essay means a call to return to the old ways." We do not advocate the restoration of the ancient ways. Even the public has no such intention. Instead people's interest stems from their attachment to and longing for traditions and classics. A nation with a long history cannot be without a love for the classical. So public interest should not be belittled by the comparison to Ma Nuo's case.

---

Just to clarify, writing in any forms of old Chinese is not the foolproof way to a high score. A couple of years ago, one essay in oracle bone script received a 6 (out of 60).

Regarding Wang's 384 score. At first I though he did badly on all the other parts of his exam because normally the total is 750. Here is what one commenter on sina has to say:

Ever since the gaokao reform, Jiangsu's total score dropped to 480. This year a student wanting to go into science or engineering only needs to have 355 to be admitted into one of the national key universities. Wang's mark surpassed that line by 29. The admission requirement in Southeast is predicted to be 391.

An Advertisement from One Immigration Agency

Translation: 为什么您应该移民加拿大美国？

Dear Customers, why should you immigrate to America?

1. Children

Any children born in the U.S. are automatically naturalized, whereas in Beijing you have to pay 240,000 yuan for each birth that violates the one-child policy.

In U.S. you may have additional children without fearing fines. In Canada, the government even pays for your baby formula.

2. Primary and secondary school tuition

In the U.S., local residents enjoy compulsory [and free] K-12 education.

If an intermediary agency arranges for your schools and visas, then tuition becomes more than $30,000 per year after the children arrive in the U.S. (approaching 210,000 yuan). 3 consecutive years equals more than 600,000 yuan.

3. College tuition

In-state residents only pay $3000 annually to attend U.S. universities, but out-of-state students must pay $20,000. Immigration can save you $17,000 per year x 4 years = $68,000 (or approximately 500,000 yuan)

4. Student loans

U.S. and Canadian students can easily obtain loans. In fact, many students put themselves through college with loans and wages. Permanent residents 18 years or older are eligible to apply for all kinds of student loans, which may be paid back after graduation in installments that are only 10%-20% of their salary. International students, on the other hands, are not entitled to these benefits.

5. Government-assisted job search

The U.S. government has various specialized departments helping citizens search for jobs free. Permanent residents just need to register with these departments and describe their skill sets and strengths, after which job opportunities information are sent to them without charge. At the same time, these departments fund many training programs for the jobless, such as computer and English classes.

6. Travel

A majority of nations excuse U.S. permanent residents from obtaining visa.

7. Back-home Investments

Green card holders qualify as overseas Chinese. Their investments back home in China are treated as foreign or joint ventures and enjoy many preferential policies.

8. Retirement Benefits

Once U.S. green card holders have paid taxes for ten years (greater than $50 in tax each month), they may after retirement (around 65 years old) receive social security anywhere from $700 to $1200.

9. Unemployment benefits

People who had normal income and paid tax for longer than 6 months can request government assistance at relevant departments when they become unemployed. The assistance is $600-1200 per month.

10. The humane treatment you will receive after accidents

In the case of accidents (traffic accident or sudden illnesses), the U.S. makes human lives its top priority. Even if you tell the hospitals that you have no money to pay for surgery, doctors still strive to rescue you.

11. Other reasons

U.S. has clean air, blue skies, pure drinking water, large lawns where children can play, better municipal policies, and superior traffic management. People there are relatively calmer.

You need not worry that your child will die from Sanlu milk or ingest toxic food colorings, drainage oil and hormone overdoses in meat.

Earthquake Drill? Or Show?

Translation: 灾难教育严重缺乏 学校“逃生演练”像演戏 via China Youth Daily

After attending a school earthquake drill, "old bathroom", a Kunming middle school student, unhappily wrote on his QQ blog: " 'Since the cadres are here, use this escape route.' Was it a drill or a show?" He continued:

Today is May 12th. Our school was selected for an earthquake drill demonstration. The experience was classic, truly classic! Spectacular, quite spectacular! And unique, extremely unique!

As soon as the siren sounded, we stupidly rushed out of the classroom and ran towards the nearest stairs. When we got there, I felt confused, because one student donning a red hat was blocking the way. He said: Classmates, the stairwell is off limit. Take this escape route instead.

Bewildered, we walked toward the direction he pointed out, though it was already packed with people. We thought that maybe the first staircase had been assigned to another class. Because of the crowded condition of this current route, it took us nearly 10 minutes to descend from fourth floor to the lobby. Once in the lobby we noticed that except for two, six other stairways stood completely empty. I was baffled.

Finally we reached the ground level. The next step should be running to an open area as fast as possible, but another red-hat student stopped us and indicated the direction behind him. With confusion we did as we were told--going through several buildings, even risking one that was six-storied [and would have been dangerous in the event of a real earthquake], so that we can gather on the alleged wide open space on the other side. Not to the soccer field that can easily accommodate all teachers and students but toward the front gate. There were so many people that some almost were trampled.

After that we had to perform the drill a second time. It was then I finally understood why. Apparently several cadres, laughing and talking, had gathered around the two stairwells for an inspection visit, while the rest of the cadres were at the front gate. To cooperate, we must leave 6 staircases empty, waste 10 minutes descending the stairs, avoid open space, and brave the risk of a stampede in order to assemble at the front gate. This is our preparation for a future possible earthquake. With this type of drill, the death rate will definitely be much higher. What's more, we have to spend yet another weekend doing a formal practice drill so that more senior officials can inspect us.

Are we doing a drill or acting? Are we students or actors?

When the reporter showed this blog entry to Yunnan Technical Association for Emergency Rescue (云南省应急救援科学技术学会), the experts immediately praised the student's acute observation. Hou Zhaomin (侯昭敏), principal engineer at the association, consultant for the One Fundation Rescue League, and team leader for Yunnan Huofeng Rescue team, said: "This entry reflects the common problems in schools: insufficient understanding of crisis management and a lack of emphasis, so that the drills are only completed perfunctorily without regard to effectiveness."

One of out every two students has received injuries

Crises at primary and secondary schools are mainly of two types. First category comprises natural catastrophes like fires, earthquakes, typhoons, floods, and mudslides. The second category includes man-caused accidents due to inferior public sanitation, health and hygiene, disease prevention, health-care, and engineering quality.

In a 2006 report published by Ministry of Education, trend analysis reveals that drowning, traffic accidents, stampede, carbon monoxide poisoning, collapsed buildings, and other events account for 59% of the safety accidents taking place in primary and secondary schools. Fighting, campus violence, suicide and building fires account for 31%. The remaining 10% are due to flood, tornado, earthquake, hail, storms, and other natural disasters.

72.3% of the safety accidents take place in the countryside and 27.7% in the cities. In rural areas, the number of accidents, casualties, and fatalities are clearly higher than city statistics by a factor of 2.9, 3.9, and 4.2, respectively. 43.8% of the accidents occur in primary schools, 34.8% in junior high, and 9.8% in high school, indicating that younger students are more prone to misadventures. The increase in campus violence cannot be overlooked, as 25% of safety accidents in schools involves kidnapping, explosions, stabbing, arson, sexual assaults, and fighting, resulting in 65% injury rate. Holiday periods correspond to more occurrences, or about 36% of safety accidents. Most happen in school, and the rest on roads going to and leaving from school, by the rivers and reservoirs, or in areas surrounding school. The mishaps occur primarily because teachers and students lack awareness, obvious flaws and deficiencies exist in safety management, and rural schools have inadequate infrastructure.

"According to one national survey, student casualties are as high as 50%, which means that one out of every two students has sustained injuries at some level. There are 0.22 billion students in China. Approximately 0.1 billion have come to harm." A person at Yunnan Technical Association for Emergency Rescue explained, "Due to its special geographical environment, Yunnan is a disaster-prone region. In addition, old school buildings, poor management and other human factors lead to even more accidents and injuries among students. Disasters surround us and danger is ever present. All accidents and disasters have the potential to harm lives while simultaneously waste social resources, thus severely impeding socioeconomic development.

Most drills are incomplete

Unfortunately, worries of the experts and the oft-occurring accidents stand in stark contrast to inferior school crisis management.

In March 2006, the National Academy of Education surveyed 200 schools in different locations regarding the current state of their crisis management. More than half of the respondents said that inadequate laws and regulations pose the biggest challenge to crisis management in schools.

The government enacted a law in September 2002 to deal with student accidents, signaling the regulatory bodies' growing concern over the situation. However, the legislation had not been very effective, and the schools must rely on mediators and upper managers, rather than the law, to handle school crises.

As the experts at Yunnan Technical Association for Emergency Rescue pointed out, the problem arises because public emergency contingency plans fail to include schools as a research and discussion topic. As a result, the provincial educational administrations cannot categorize and manage campus crises, create appropriate mechanisms, or systematize and standardize crisis management.

"Undeniably, schools attach great importance to student safety, but they all neglect educating students in relevant issues. Most school have not even started work in safety-related education." Said Hou Zhaomin.

Hou Zhaomin notices the absence of disaster education in many places. Schools only pay lip-service to "Guidelines for Public Safety Education in Primary and Secondary Schools," often just doing an one-time exercise that can be shown off to the supervisors. There is no established system for disaster prevention and evacuation drills. Most teachers and students have not undergone professional, regular training or drills, so they lack relevant common knowledge in disaster preparedness and self-help. Many schools that have begun these drills treat them as a formality and only go as far as organizing the escape. Once disaster hits, even if it were a fire in broad daylight, panic and competition to escape cause a large number of unnecessary casualties.

Moreover, urban campuses are besieged by tall buildings and heavy traffic. There are not enough open areas where an exodus of people can go to in a short time. A majority can only stay on campus track fields, where the gathering of large crowds can pose new safety risks.

When commenting on the Kunming school earthquake drill, Hou Zhaomin believes that it should proceed in stages. Choose teachers and students to oversee different tasks so that when necessary, they can organize and direct evacuation. "Escape planning and professionalism are crucial. Drills are meant to train survival instincts. Only when people have the instincts in place can they escape."

Current safety management depends on announcements from above

Currently, each nation has established their own mode of crisis management according to their internal environment.

In U.S., almost every state has specialized organizations that conduct crisis management research, provide information to in-state policy-making bodies, compile citizen guides to disaster preparedness, and train disaster management personnel.

Japan spends a great deal of effort to raise survival awareness and improve survival skills among its students. Frequent earthquakes in the country has prompted the development of a fairly complete early warning system and effective public earthquake education. Each year students participate in drills. Beginning in kindergarten, children are taken to simulation devices where knowledge of escape and disaster prevention is inculcated in children at an early age. Near windows and doors of every house are mineral water, crackers, flashlights and first aid kits. Even the latest video games test for people's reaction under strong quakes.

Experts at Yunnan Technical Association for Emergency Rescue say that compared to those countries, crisis management in China mostly depends on notices and documents coming from above, on teachers' personal safety awareness and on their sense of responsibility. Necessary disaster prevention knowledge is lacking.

"In December 2009, a stampede inside one Hunan school points to the lack of disaster preparedness in most school officials, teachers, and students. Yet during May 12, 2008 Sichuan earthquake, some 2000 people were able to evacuate from Sangzao Middle school in just 1 minute and 36 seconds, creating a 0-casualty miracle. In the face of sudden catastrophe, unprepared schools will be far less able to protect lives as those which are ready."

During the third meeting of the Yunnan Tenth CPPCC session which convened in January this year, Geng Jia (耿嘉) and other Yunnan members of the CPPCC National Committee submitted a proposal to establish a school emergency rescue system and to improve crisis management. "Good habits of obeying safety rules can only be acquired through long-term scientific training." The proposal stated, "Because school safety directly affects students and teachers, and the safety of each concerns several families, it is a topic which the society deems important. Safety management and the ability of schools to respond during crises will have an impact on the credibility of schools and government, even impacting social stability."