12 million Chinese students test negative for university exams

Students take a test for COVID-19 in Beijing on the day of the university entrance exam on June 7 – Photo: AFP

According to the Ministry of Education China, about 11.93 million students took the exam this year, 1.15 million more than last year. This is the third year of the exam gaokaowhich is considered decisive for the future of many young Chinese, took place during the COVID-19 epidemic period.

This year’s exam was only delayed for 1 month in Shanghai, which has just reopened from the beginning of June 2022. In 2020, the exam is postponed for 1 month nationwide.

Local authorities have implemented many measures to support travel, health and safety and remind candidates to comply with regulations on anti-epidemic and health protection during the exam, according to the newspaper. Global Times.

“My child has submitted medical information including a negative test within 48 hours at the request of the local education authority,” a parent in Beijing said, adding that the students were asked to monitor their health during the school day. 14 days before the exam.

Authorities in some areas also organize buses to take students in epidemic control areas for testing.

Other cities have also adopted similar measures, with Chongqing setting up testing sites around schools to test students.

Students enter university entrance exam scores in Jiangsu province – Photo: AFP

“I’m still worried even though I’ve prepared well. Being locked down at school for 40 days has given me motivation, we can focus on studying,” a student named Zhu Yongtao in Shenzhen told the newspaper. Washington Post.

Zhu’s school, like many other schools in China, has been on “lockdown” for the past few weeks, in which students and teachers are not allowed to leave the school, to ensure a smooth competition.

However, this year, about 120 students still have to take exams in quarantine points and 700 students take their exams in near-blockade conditions, according to the Chinese Ministry of Education. About 12 students tested positive for COVID-19 in Beijing, Liaoning and Sichuan at makeshift hospitals.

On June 7, China said it recorded 209 new COVID-19 cases in 24 hours, including 57 symptomatic cases and 152 asymptomatic cases, down from 171 cases the previous day. The capital Beijing recorded only 2 more asymptomatic community infections while Shanghai had 3 more symptomatic community infections.

Contestants prepare to enter the competition in Liaoning province – Photo: AFP

Students line up to enter an exam site in Beijing on June 7 – Photo: REUTERS

Students leave after the first exam on June 7 in Jiangsu province – Photo: AFP

Parents wait in front of a university entrance exam in Beijing on June 7 – Photo: AFP