Do not demonize school

Chen Zhiwen, editor-in-chief of China Education Online

Education circles are agog with rumors about the Hengshui school using a tough regime to regulate students, adding to the public stereotype of the school. Some of the rumors are simply ludicrous the one about how the school has fitted its windows with iron grilles for example-to prevent students from jumping out of the buildings.

The people and media should stop speculating about the school. Rumors claiming Tsinghua University has blacklisted the Hengshui school have been countered by the university through an official statement, and Peking University admission officials have said students from the school have performed well on the campus.

Media and public comments should be based on facts. The Hengshui school should not take the flak for the problems created by China's exam-oriented education system. The school is a result, rather than a cause, of the education system.

People should not use the debate on the pros and cons of the school to vent their meaningless anger.