The Shanghai Daily says:
A POPULAR saying on the Chinese mainland goes: "Exams, exams, exams, the magic weapon of teachers; marks, marks, marks, the lifeblood of students."
Understandably, students do what their culture expects of them: They study hard to achieve good results in examinations. However, examination results are a function of the manner in which examinations are conducted.
As presently conducted, examinations assess mostly knowledge acquisition and retention, at the expense of knowledge application and generation. Typically, school examinations emphasize accuracy in the reproduction of informational content, a relatively low-level cognitive activity.
To concentrate their efforts on reproducing information accurately, students rely on memorization and repeated practice. Symptomatic of the syllabus-bound mentality, teachers cover and students study only or mainly materials prescribed in the syllabus. Students often approach their teachers prior to examinations in the hope of getting "tips" on what questions might be set in examinations.
In short, students have learned to play the examination game; failure to do so means elimination from the educational system - a personal failure, and a disgrace to the family. They view education in utilitarian terms, as a means to an end.
Read more: http://www.shanghaidaily.com/article/?id=487452&type=Opinion
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