Minister of Education Chen Baosheng recently instructed universities to increase the difficulty of undergraduate courses. In China, students are often diligent during high school, but begin to relax and study less once admitted to university. According to Chen, this situation needs to change.

The heavy workload during primary and secondary education ensures students a solid academic foundation, but has also been criticized for killing students' creativity and interest in learning. Moreover, excessive attention is given to grades while moral and physical education are overlooked.

University is an important time in shaping young people's personalities and values. However, many students are only concerned with passing exams rather than seizing the opportunity to expand their worldview and enhance their ability to deal with the responsibilities of the real world. Lacking self-discipline, some students indulge in various forms of entertainment such as online games and social networking apps.

Universities should focus on the overall performance of students throughout the semester rather than solely evaluating them based on final exams.

The youth are an important force of social progress. Universities must pay more attention to general education and life skills rather than focusing on the number of diplomas they issue.

(This is an edited excerpt of an article published in Guangming Daily on July 5)