Summary of Key Points
The preparatory students in Tsinghua University's Qiu Chengtong Mathematics Leadership Program have been considered for expulsion due to their severely inadequate academic performance (their average score on the supplementary Beijing college entrance examination math test was lower than that of regular high school students). This situation highlights how the selection process has been circumvented by training institutions, which help students pass through the screening by having them practice past exam questions. As a result, these students lack genuine mathematical talent and ability. Parents have petitioned, but the expulsion is justified, as the preparatory program serves as a secondary screening stage. Similar programs like the Qiu Chengtong Youth Class were also discontinued due to policies banning elite classes in compulsory education and their transformation into tools for selective admissions by training institutions. The deeper issue is that any selection process is susceptible to being manipulated, preventing those with real talent from standing out. Creating an educational environment where talent is not masked remains a significant challenge.
1. Exclusion Is Not a “Breach of Contract”; the Preparatory Program Is Designed as a Secondary Screening
Many criticize Tsinghua for abruptly ending the program, but it was always intended to be a trial period. According to the program rules, selected students must first undergo four months of preparatory training and pass an assessment before being officially admitted. How poor were these students' scores? It has been reported that after just a few months of study, they failed the exam and scored lower on the supplementary Beijing college entrance examination math test than regular high school students. Given that they were among the best candidates, such performance indicates a lack of genuine mathematical ability. Expelling them is necessary to maintain the program's integrity; otherwise, underperforming students would drag down the quality of education and be unfair to those with real talent.
2. Training Institutions “Circumvent” the Selection Process
How did these students manage to pass the selection? The key lies in targeted training institutions that thoroughly study the past exam questions, question patterns, and preferences of the program (similar to how AI models can overfit on training data). These institutions help students memorize standard answers rather than understanding the underlying concepts. When they reach the preparatory stage and encounter unfamiliar problems, their lack of real knowledge is exposed. Qiu Chengtong has warned that such exam-based selection methods lead to rote learning, damaging children's creativity and interest in learning. Although Tsinghua University has issued statements prohibiting training institutions from participating, the temptation of guaranteed admission remains a driving force for these institutions.
3. Is It Wrong to Expel These Students?
Some argue that expulsion could ruin their futures, but this is not necessarily the case. The preparatory program is not an official admission; therefore, excluding them aligns with the rules. Keeping underperforming students in an environment dominated by gifted peers can be detrimental, causing them significant psychological distress. For example, one of the author’s high school classmates, who was the top student in the city and admitted to a prestigious Tsinghua program, suffered from stress and burnout. For such students, leaving the unfavorable environment and finding a more suitable place to study is better for their well-being. Those with real talent will not be harmed by one expulsion; those without it will struggle regardless.
4. The Discontinuation of the Qiu Chengtong Youth Class
Many programs similar to the Qiu Chengtong Youth Class were discontinued this year, partly due to policies banning elite classes in compulsory education. On the surface, this seems reasonable, but the real issue is that these programs have become tools for selective admissions by schools and training institutions. Their original purpose of nurturing math geniuses has been distorted into means of gaining an advantage in the educational system. This problem is similar to that at Tsinghua University’s preparatory program: once there are privileges (such as exemption from exams or direct admission), the selection process becomes unfair, excluding those with genuine talent.
5. A Vicious Cycle of Selection Processes
The existence of selection criteria always leads to their manipulation. As long as there are standards, someone will find ways to circumvent them. The solution lies in creating an environment where talent can shine naturally—by encouraging independent exploration and protecting curiosity, rather than forcing students to memorize exam questions. However, this requires changing the current anxious and utilitarian educational atmosphere, a task that remains arduous.
In summary, while these events may seem harsh, they highlight the challenges in implementing fair and effective selection processes in education.