Open up education system for reform

Education was one of the most popular subjects of discussion at the annual sessions of the National People's Congress and the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference. The release of the National Outline for Medium and Long Term Educational Reform and Development (2010-2020) just before the twin sessions to solicit public opinion till March 28 was partly responsible for that.

Many people expect the document to pave the way for education reform, for it addresses almost all major areas of education. But Zhang Ming, professor of politics at Renmin University of China, doubts whether education reform would be fully successful even this time.

Zhang is known more as a critique of the education system. Three years ago, he publicly criticized the bureaucratization of the school he was employed in, and even said China's colleges were like yamen (traditional Chinese bureaucratic organization). That not only sparked a heated debate on the Internet, but also turned him into a commentator on education.