A PUPIL IN WUHAN, central China's Hubei province was reduced to tears by his mother, because of his poor performance in a math exam. The boy scored two points lower than the class average of 96. Among 40 students in the class, 14 got the full marks. Rednet.cn comments:

It is true that exam scores are very important to students. But the pupil still scored a respectable 94. It is astounding to discover that his mother still felt dissatisfied with her son's performance and unleashed her anger on him.

Parents want their children to have a bright future. How to make sure they will have one is of great concern to their parents and debates about the importance of exams never cease.