Jane Lai

MEMBERS attending a panel discussion at the local CPPCC session yesterday criticized the current education system, saying it hindered growth and development. They demanded more say in decision making.

“Local universities and colleges should have more responsibility in deciding their own administrative procedures and it is ridiculous to apply to the Ministry of Education for approval for the length of college studies, the number of professors, curriculum design, or even the change of names of universities,” said Li Chonggui, a professor with Shenzhen Polytechnic.

Some local CPPCC members echoed Li’s criticism by pointing out the apparent contradictions between the city’s market economy and the traditional school management methods that, to a great extent, cater to the planned economic system.

They required the municipal people’s congress to make full use of its legislative rights and give more responsibility to universities, to reduce intervention and get more assistance from higher authorities.

Meanwhile, as cooperation between Shenzhen and Hong Kong was deepening, Zhang Kefan, vice chairman of the Shenzhen Association for Science and Technology, suggested sharing education resources with Hong Kong by selecting several schools in every district to offer Hong Kong children school places and allow excellent students to enter the exchange program.

“This system will help retain professionals for the establishment of the SZ-HK international metropolis,” he said.