CRI听力: What on Earth Peking University Want?

Tomorrow is the deadline for the 39 high school principals to make their recommendations for students to be enrolled into Peking University. So far most of the schools have released their recommendation name lists and every student on the list is straight-A in every aspect. But many are unsure whether this goes against Peking University's original idea of recruiting students who have extraordinary specialties rather than comprehensive abilities.

This is our reporter Huangrui.

The Second High School Attached to Beijing Normal University is one of the four schools that are qualified to recommend students to Peking University in Beijing. A recommendation announcement with the names of three students has already been published on the campus.

A female student talks about her first impressions of the name list.(www.hXen.com)

"I do not know them in person but I have heard of them before. Some of them have been abroad for international culture exchange, some are competition champions and some have gold medals."

Recommended students in other schools are also excellent in both examination and campus or social aspects. High school student Kuang Chao was the first nominee recommended by Jiangsu province. During his three-year study in high school, he always retained the title of exam champion.

But many people could not help asking, "Do these extraordinary students need the recommendation?" A male student has the same doubts:

"Their examination scores are undoubtedly the best. But if they are good enough to enter the university without any help, the recommendation will be no use to them. But I also understand the difficulties our principal is facing. What should he do?"

A mother of a high school student has her own answer to his question.

"I think Peking University's original idea was to lower the entrance standard for students who have specialties but can't satisfy the total score of national college entrance examination."

To enlighten the confused, Peking University released a statement, saying they welcome students with special gifts, and they believe having comprehensive abilities is also a special gift. Then a curious thing happened: all the nominees have the same special gift.

Principal Wang Xinhua of The First High School Attached to Huazhong Normal University explains:

"Students with middle level exam scores are too many. It will cause conflict if we choose from them. The safest way is to pick the students who score best."

According to the University's admission system, recommended students still need to take the national college entrance exam, but they can be enrolled with 30 points less than others. Wang Jintang, political advisor for the Beijing municipal government, hopes the principals will develop more creative ideas on how to choose their recommendations.

"Principals need more courage. They should help students who are outstanding in certain aspects but need the extra points."

Some people suggest the recommendation should start after the college entrance examination, allowing students who have specialties but fail the exams to have another chance and avoid the recommendation quota being wasted on students who don't need it.

For China Drive I am Huangrui.