China's first overall reform plan of the universities' entrance exam system, compiled by the 21st Century Education Development Research Institute, an NGO, was unveiled on July 18. Yang Dongping, Director of the Beijing-based institute and also chief author of the plan, emphasized the necessity and significance of the reform at the launch.

"This year marks the 30th anniversary of the resumption of the national college entrance exam, and we need some tangible efforts to commemorate the event, instead of only taking a retrospective view," Yang said.

According to Yang, more efforts should be made on defending educational equality, as he believes scores achieved on tests cannot be the only criterion to assess the overall capability of students. He also advocates a more flexible testing and assessing system. Yang requested more power of discretion for colleges and universities when admitting students, and more options for students in a people-oriented enrollment mechanism designed to meet their various demands. To facilitate this, he suggests more interviews before applicants are admitted.

Yang, 58, a famed educator majored in higher education, modern pedagogy, history of contemporary education and theory on educational equality, is also a celebrated social activist involved in several nongovernmental organizations in pursuit of public welfare.

The proposal that Yang and his institute provided is a draft open to full discussions and evaluation among different interest groups. "We need a platform for discussion, and only through this can disputes be resolved and agreements reached to further promote the reform," Yang said.

The national university entrance exam is so important in China because it is the only chance for most high school graduates to gain access to higher education. However, the current exam has been slammed as "unscientific" due to its over-reliance on written tests with no evaluation of students' overall capability. Radical critics say, the exam, which has led to China's test-oriented education system and places enormous pressure on students, should be abolished.