Foreign high school programs seen as stepping stone to prestigious institutions

Foreign high school courses are fast gaining ground in China with a growing number of students opting for such courses.

Foreign high school courses are fast gaining ground in China with a growing number of students opting for such courses.

Though the demand for such courses has been propelled by the desire to improve the chances of getting into overseas education institutions, it is also seen by many as an opportunity to bypass the national educational system oft criticized for stifling creativity and innovation.

A visit to some of the best universities in the United States during 2009 prompted high school sophomore Zhu Cheng to quit one of Shanghai's best public schools and enroll at the Cambridge International Center of Shanghai Normal University.

Zhu's decision stemmed largely from the belief that it would help him pursue a degree course at some of the world's leading universities.

That belief turned out to be true, when after one and a half semesters of the systematic training in A-level courses, the 19-year-old boy received a conditional offer from Oxford University in the UK. While the offer ensured a place in Oxford, it was also subject to Zhu's final course grades meeting the school's expectations.

"I assume that what I'm learning here is similar to my peers in the UK. Learning such international courses during the high school period will help us better adapt to overseas college curriculum and life," he says.

Zhu's example is part of a growing trend in many major Chinese cities like Shanghai as students seek alternatives to the rigid national college entrance examination, which lays undue importance on scores. Demand has also been driven by the nation's strong economic growth and the growing incomes of Chinese parents.

That in turn, has also prompted many Chinese high schools to change tack and start offering overseas education courses as part of the curriculum. Many schools are offering courses like the UK's A-Level, United State's AP (Advanced Placement) and internationally recognized IB diploma program. That marks a stark change from the past when these courses were offered only by international schools and not open to Chinese students.

Most of the Chinese schools that offer these programs not only have foreign teachers on board to teach students, but also offer coaching services for foreign college entrance exams.

Datong High School last year launched Project Global Access (PGA), a high school diploma recognized by more than 100 universities in the world. Tao Peihua, a teacher at the PGA office, says that the school admitted 40 students last year and plans to enroll 70 students for the ensuing fall semester.

"The course has been well received by the students as it not only helps their English language skills, but offers more pragmatic knowledge, and an opportunity to study abroad," she says.

Tao says that the number of applicants for such courses from outside Shanghai has been increasing steadily. "Most of the new applicants are from the more affluent neighboring provinces like the Yangtze River Delta region."

To some extent, the penchant for overseas educational courses also ties in with the local government's plan to transform Shanghai as a major international metropolis with high quality educational resources. The Shanghai Education Commission's 2011 work agenda includes a pilot program to introduce international courses at some high schools in the city.