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China's national college entrance exam kicked off on Sunday. The annual exam has aroused as much attention this year as ever.
Parents have rented quiet hotel rooms for their children to prepare for the exam. They have also rented cabs as exam transportation.
Local governments have also launched various policies to facilitate examinees.
For example, exam authorities across China have stepped up disease prevention efforts amid the spreading AH1N1 flu.
The Beijing News published an article, arguing that more focus should also be centered on the fairness of the exam and the education system more generally.
The article says that many rural high school graduates have given up the university entrance exam. This is the result of a worsening employment market under the current financial crisis and a lack of a quality education in rural areas.
It also says that the extra mark system is unfair to examinees.
The writer takes a local marine model competition as an example. The winners will be awarded 20 marks to this year's college enrolment exam.
The writer alleges that some local dignitaries have helped their children to get the extra marks by abusing their power or giving money to the competition organizers.
The article concludes by calling on the government to create a fair environment for all examinees.