Education
Enrolments minefield of rules for Chinese applicants
By Naomi Walsh (China Daily)
Updated: 2010-01-19 10:06
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International schools are regarded as the best choice in Beijing for students who want an overseas education. They are the expensive, but preferred, choice for children of diplomats and long-term expatriates.
Expat parents who decide to "go local" and have their child experience a Chinese school environment and learn Chinese often change to an international school in their senior school years.
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With creativity and critical thinking emphasized instead of preparation for the national entrance exam, many students say they have the space to learn more instead of memorizing content 14 hours a day beginning in middle school.
But admission for Chinese nationals to international schools is limited. Government policy states that only children of expats, diplomats and businessmen holding a foreign passport can enrol, so even outstanding students are prohibited unless they have a "green card" or a residence permit from Hong Kong or Macao or are a resident of Taiwan.
Despite the restrictions, the demand for a place at international schools is steadily making entrance more competitive. A rigorous admission procedure - including an English as a Second Language (ESL) exam and an interview with both parents to confirm nationality - is required.
Chinese locals seeking an alternative to the national college entrance exam might see at it as hopeless situation. Some may try to move to Hong Kong or Macao to apply for a green card but with uncertain success and innumerable obstructions.
Another option is to sidestep early preparation for the national entrance exam and attend a bilingual school in Beijing with the goal of entrance to a school abroad.
In Beijing, some public schools, such as Beijing No 55 Middle School, are open to Chinese as well foreign students. They provide both Chinese curriculum and the IB program in a bilingual environment.
Yet local students may feel shortchanged by the 80 percent Chinese student population, focus on the national college entrance exam and the more rigorous admission procedure compared to foreign students because of the demand for places.
