Chinese High Achievers
Dec 17, 2009 4:54:58 GMT -5
Post by douglaslam on Dec 17, 2009 4:54:58 GMT -5
Yes folks, it's that time of the year again when the school leavers' external public exams. in my state of NSW, the HSC, Higher School Certificate results are out. With it, there is the all-important Australian Tertiary Admission Rank ATAR, which determines a student's choice of course and university.
As usual, students of Chinese descend performed well and overly represented amongst the high achievers. All major Chinese newspapers dutifully give front page banner headline of Chinese high achievers.
www.singtao.com.au/AUSTRALIAnews/public/roundup_v.cfm?newstype=1&intcatid=1
www.singtao.com.au/AUSTRALIAnews/public/article_v.cfm?articleid=123697&intcatid=1
Regrettably, the main stream English press did not give the usual "model minority" coverage. Thus, members who cannot read Chinese are going to be left out.
Of particular interest to Chinese parents is how some schools are perceived to perform better. They move heaven and earth to have their children get accepted by a small number of selective high schools or for those who can afforded it, paying high fees or winning a scholarship to expensive private schools. They resort to sending their children from a very young age, to coaching colleges after school hours or on weekends, in order to have a competitive edge to beat the selection tests. It spawns a whole new industry, with the Chinese the main operators and patrons. Undue pressure is placed on the children, and depriving them of a normal childhood. There are even special summer vacation classes.
This phenomenon started in the early '80s with the arrival of Hong Kong migrants in large numbers. Students from China and HKG are used to rote learning and coaching colleges sprung up to meet that demand.
We all value a good education for our children. Some parents are just very pushy and won't let their children followed their own dreams. Only doctors, lawyers, accountants, IT experts, or engineers are good enough. Anything less they don't want to know.
I never apply pressure to my own children. They do anything they like. Fortunately, they give me no cause for concern.
As usual, students of Chinese descend performed well and overly represented amongst the high achievers. All major Chinese newspapers dutifully give front page banner headline of Chinese high achievers.
www.singtao.com.au/AUSTRALIAnews/public/roundup_v.cfm?newstype=1&intcatid=1
www.singtao.com.au/AUSTRALIAnews/public/article_v.cfm?articleid=123697&intcatid=1
Regrettably, the main stream English press did not give the usual "model minority" coverage. Thus, members who cannot read Chinese are going to be left out.
Of particular interest to Chinese parents is how some schools are perceived to perform better. They move heaven and earth to have their children get accepted by a small number of selective high schools or for those who can afforded it, paying high fees or winning a scholarship to expensive private schools. They resort to sending their children from a very young age, to coaching colleges after school hours or on weekends, in order to have a competitive edge to beat the selection tests. It spawns a whole new industry, with the Chinese the main operators and patrons. Undue pressure is placed on the children, and depriving them of a normal childhood. There are even special summer vacation classes.
This phenomenon started in the early '80s with the arrival of Hong Kong migrants in large numbers. Students from China and HKG are used to rote learning and coaching colleges sprung up to meet that demand.
We all value a good education for our children. Some parents are just very pushy and won't let their children followed their own dreams. Only doctors, lawyers, accountants, IT experts, or engineers are good enough. Anything less they don't want to know.
I never apply pressure to my own children. They do anything they like. Fortunately, they give me no cause for concern.
