With phrases such as “entrenched privilege” and “apartheid education system” being bandied about more and more often, and some folks even questioning the existence of private schools altogether, the divide between public and private school students is more present than ever. We constantly hear comparisons between – and stereotypes of – the less disciplined and less demanding environment of private schools starkly contrasted with the tense and rigorous atmosphere of public schools, but the question stands: Are these presumptions true?

After interviewing several students and parents of students who attend Chinese public schools, here are some common ideas they have regarding private schools:

High fees

This is expected as private schools are generally synonymous with smaller class sizes, and teachers who specialize in individual development rather than being wholly responsible for an entire class. Despite this, many see it as a sign of inequality: “The higher fees only open private schools towards elitist groups, preventing middle- or lower-class families from admission,” one parent stated. Others directly correlate private schools with higher-income families: “They are wealthier,” a local student added. Although there is truth to this, many people disregard the many foreign expat families enrolled in private schools who negotiate school fees into their employment contracts.

Less work

While speaking to sources for this article, I heard a similar refrain:‘“The workload is lighter in private schools.”  On the surface, many may be quick to agree with this, especially those who witness the highly intense 中考 zhōngkǎo Middle School National Exams and 高考 gāokǎo High School National Exams, both of which are standardized tests that have the power to drastically alter a student’s future. However, as a recent graduate of an international school remarked, “International students experience the same level of an intense academic curriculum. For instance, the International Baccalaureate (IB) and International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE), which in my opinion, is as hard as the zhongkao and gaokao. Especially considering the Internal Assessments (IA’s), research essay (EE), Theory of Knowledge (TOK), and the 3 (Higher Level) HLs and 3 (Standard Level) SLs that IB candidates need to complete throughout two years.” This leads me to believe that it is not the category of schooling, rather the societal pressure surrounding students that decides the academic intensity of schools.

More liberty

Many students of public schools have commented on how private schools allow for more “freedom” in terms of time management and physical appearance. On the topic of time management, it is noticeable that public schools tend to create concise schedules, attempting to achieve a more disciplined learning environment that is crucial for larger student bodies. On the other hand, private schools tend to encourage independence, teaching students how to formulate and organize their own time accordingly. It is also true that most public schools don’t allow piercings, hair color, manicures, and some also limit female students’ hair length. This is antithetical to some international schools that allow or even embrace a student’s decision to change their looks. All of which is to say, this presumption might actually fit.

End goals

Several responses, in particular, struck me and were reminiscent of the Chinese adage: “Losing before the race has begun.” Many parents of public school children have to resign themselves to the fact that by sending their children to public schools, their end goal will almost certainly be to pass the local gaokao. One parent described it thusly: “The goals of the schools are different. Those who attend public schools aim to pass the gaokao, whilst those in private schools aim to go abroad.” Even though the “better option” is still up debatable, for parents who want their children to receive a more international education but can’t due to financial reasons, this exemplifies a sense of inequality.  

KEEP READING: Honest Questions to Ask Yourself Before Choosing a School for Your Child

Images: Unsplash

Following recent scandals in the US, in which wealthy parents and celebrities were revealed to be “buying” their children places at top universities, a different kind of cheating has been exposed in China. A private school in Shenzhen has been accused of bringing in “ringers” from another province to boost its scores in the university entrance exam, in order to increase its appeal to parents.

The practice, dubbed “Gaokao immigration” by China Daily, is being taken seriously because each province has its own allocation of places at the top universities. By bringing students from Hebei to compete in Shenzhen, the school is perceived to be cheating local students of their places.

The Gaokao, China’s hugely important and fiercely competitive university entrance exam, is the scene of a long-running battle between education authorities and cheats. Students are subject to facial recognition scans, fingerprint identification, screening, and sometimes body searches before being admitted to the exam room. High-tech devices have been used more suited to James Bond, such as a pen with a hidden camera and a pair of glasses containing a scanner. The authorities have responded with drones, and sensors to detect radio signals.

“6933 days till the Gaokao”

The consequences of being caught cheating are grave: students are banned from taking the test for three years, adults have been imprisoned, and officials dismissed from their posts. However success or failure in the exam is seen as making such a difference to young people’s life chances that many continue to take the risk. In 2014 parents in Hubei rioted when their children were prevented from cheating, insisting that as everyone else did it they were being unfairly disadvantaged.

Suspicions were aroused when third-grade students from Shenzhen Fuyuan School performed exceptionally well on a mock test, achieving six of the top ten scores in the southern metropolis. Sceptical parents discovered that students from the school which had previously been admitted to prestigious Beijing universities also appeared in the promotional materials of Shenzhen Fuyuan’s partner school in Hubei. 32 students have now been barred from the test, having used dishonest means to sign up when their hukou (household registrations) means they should have taken the test elsewhere.

Photos: tes.com, tutorming.com

After the recent Chinese ban on for-profit, private schools, those writing and commenting on the event equate for-profit private schools with all private schools, but that’s just not the case.

Private and international schools come in two main flavors: for-profit and non-profit. The main difference is where the final check is cut.

The schools publicly known as non-profit include Daystar, YCIS, Keystone, BSB, Sanlitun, BSB, Shunyi, ISB, WAB, BIBA, and many others. Non-profit schools already abide by Chinese laws for non-profit schools and won’t be affected by the most recent ban, as the Western Academy of Beijing (WAB) explains, “Our school follows all relevant laws and regulations in regards to non-profit and other educational requirements in China.”

WAB was founded in 1994 and is a “truly non-profit independent IB World School managed by an all-volunteer Board of Trustees, with 100 percent of its revenue spent on fostering strong academic programs and the overall well-being of the School. As a non-profit entity, all resources and cash surplus are applied to WAB programs, facilities, and activities.”

Other non-profit schools have been reached for comment, and this article will be updated with their input.

School representatives working at for-profit schools are not sure how this new ban will affect their own school, but off the record they have assured they will do everything they can to keep stable operations as they do their best to change to comply with the law.

More stories by this author here.
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