Longer wait for better results

On Monday, the Ministry of Education announced postponing of the national college entrance examination, or gaokao, by a month, to July 7 and 8 because of the novel coronavirus epidemic situation.

This is undoubtedly a necessary move. Although there have been no new domestic infections in recent days, the danger from imported infections remains high. Besides, some infected people are asymptomatic but able to infect others.

It is important to eliminate the possibility of the epidemic striking again. As millions of candidates sit for the exam while their parents wait outside, not to forget teachers and other staff who keep vigil and collect the answer scripts when the test ends, it is right to postpone the exams.

It would have been risky to hold the exams in June with imported cases still happening. So delaying the gaokao－which plays an important role in determining which college high school graduates go to－was necessary.

The postponement also means students getting more time for preparations, compensating for the time lost because of the epidemic. An additional month is of particular importance for candidates attending online classes, which is not a very efficient way of learning.

But for high school graduates writing this year's gaokao, an extra month also means a longer "torture". Anybody who has ever sat for the gaokao knows how the months preceding it are－complete with hard work, anxiety, and nervousness. However, it is hoped the delay is worth it and they harvest good results in summer.