Comment on "Teenagers are overloaded" (China Daily, March 21)

As a student who has been part of China's education system for 18 years, I see the system differently.

People have the impression that China's education system is ailing and lacks vitality, which makes students suffer. But people who assume this to be true ignore the benefits of the system.

We may be forced to memorize a multitude of things by rote, but by doing so we broaden and enrich our knowledge. We may be forced to take endless exams, but they also teach us to be courageous, persistent and optimistic, traits that help us in our development. We may have to sleep late and get up early for years because of studies, but that also develops us a steel-like willpower.

Admittedly, China's education system needs reform to reach perfection. But a pyramid-like structure is not unique to China.

Almost every country, irrespective of how good its education system is, has its top-tier students who enjoy all the benefits and those at the bottom who suffer.

Chinese students today face many questions. Is it right to divide students into different levels? How can we maintain our spirit and ability to study after passing the National College Entrance Exam? How can we lighten the burden of schoolwork as well as be creative? These are some of the themes of our educational revolution.

Rainie.T, via e-mail

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