"Fair education has been an issue for a long-time. But we have mainly talked about equal access to education. But fair education is about equal funding and outcomes as well as access," Shao Fengjing, vice president of Qingdao University and an NPC deputy told on March 6.
Introducing an education reform proposal on February 28, education Minister Yuan Guiren said guaranteeing equal access to education was a principal goal for the next 10 years. Premier Wen Jiabao also referred to fairness in education in his March 5 report to the National People's Congress.
"It is just one aspect of the matter," said Shao. "In higher education, equalizing funding and facilities is more important."
"Local universities like Qingdao University cannot compete with elite national colleges in terms of resources, funding and faculties. Of course universities like Qingdao and top schools like Tsinghua and Peking have different educational goals. I agree with Premier Wen that we need to provide education services for people with different skills."
On equality of outcome, Shao stressed job opportunities after graduation and graduate employability. "Colleges should help students to develop a sound approach to job hunting and set up internships for them," said Shao. "Qingdao University has set up internship programs with local companies like Haier Group, Hisense Group and Tsingtao Beer Group."
Shao also talked about another important task mentioned in the reform proposal - easing pressure on students, particular middle school students.
"There is an old Chinese saying that there are masters in all walks of life. But nowadays people only value college graduates. Parents struggle to get their children, often their only child, into university. And when it comes to job-hunting, graduates are unwilling to work in rural areas, poorer regions, factories, private companies and other "low level" jobs. This perpetuates the gap between developed and under-developed areas."
"We need to reform the examination system, develop a healthy attitude to people's aptitudes and abilities, and build respect for vocational education. But this is a task for society as a whole."
Shao said the government proposal to boost education spending to 4 percent of GDP by 2012 is not enough, pointing out that the world average is 4.9 percent and even under-developed countries manage 4.1 percent.
"Nongovernmental bodies should be encouraged to run schools and fund education. We need to provide a favorable legal and regulatory framework for them to work in as soon as possible," he said.