According to China's Ministry of Education (MOE), the national college entrance examination (gaokao), which is usually held on June 7-8, will be moved to July 7-8 this year, due to the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak. Authorities in Beijing and Hubei Province in central China can suggest their own dates. The MOE says it will ensure students' safety and the fairness of the exam.

Prior to the announcement there was speculation whether the gaokao would be delayed, as schools and lives of this year's participants have been seriously disrupted by the pandemic. But the national exam is among the most important in the country, an event which decides the course of students' lives, so any change in the date was deemed almost impossible.

Students nationwide have been taking classes online due to school shutdowns. However, in some less developed regions online classes are unavailable due to poor Internet or lack of suitable devices. The pandemic has hit this group hardest. This is among the various reasons the MOE finally took the decision to delay the examination.

This move has been largely applauded, especially by students and educators. Yet the change will involve complete overhaul of existing structures, causing more disruption for students and schools.

A logical arrangement

Ding Jianting (Nanfang Daily): The postponement of the gaokao is a positive response to social concern about this extremely important examination, and it will soothe the nerves of this year's senior high school graduates. With an extra month, students will find it easier to cope with the heavy academic pressure. Many of them will feel more confident about the upcoming examination.

Actually, the gaokao has never been immovable, especially in the face of a force majeure, as shown in earthquake-hit areas in Sichuan Province 2008. While the gaokao will be put off by one month nationwide, the MOE will allow Beijing and Hubei to work out their own timelines, given the seriousness of their pandemic situation. This is a logical arrangement, widely supported by students and schools.

Jing Yingzhong (China Education Daily): In the face of unprecedented disasters like the coronavirus outbreak, people have no choice but to meet challenges head on, just as this year's gaokao participants will have to do.

Postponing the gaokao by one month will help to reduce risks from the virus. The gaokao is a large-scale national examination that involves millions of people, and thus health and safety must come first. But the postponement is also in the interests of fairness. The pandemic has affected students to varying degrees, but those in rural and impoverished areas have largely been the most impacted.

This extra month will make up for time lost during school shutdowns, and minimize the negative impact of the virus. For some students, a month is a long time, and they will make the best of this period to better prepare for the exam. Most students will value this extra month before the gaokao.

This pandemic will pass and the gaokao will come. Whether for themselves, their parents or their nation, China's students must put this month to good use.

Be more prepared

Xiong Bingqi (Guangming Daily): This is the first time the gaokao has been postponed, except for the limited adjustment of dates for students in some parts of Sichuan after the devastating 2008 earthquake. This is a decision made in light of the disruption caused by coronavirus control measures and the subsequent delays to the spring semester after the Spring Festival holiday.

Although the COVID-19 pandemic has been effectively contained across the country, the threat of imported cases remains, and the hidden risk of the virus will still be there when June comes around.

Although virtual classes have been the main form of teaching across the country since February, online education is no substitute for real-life classrooms, where students and teachers are able to have face-to-face interaction. Students with self-discipline may emerge better prepared from two months at home, but this is only a fraction of the total student population.

Postponing the gaokao by a month will inevitably change study and revision schemes, which will require schools and students to adjust their planning. It will not only be necessary for schools to adjust the teaching schedule, but they must also offer psychological support for students to help them through the difficult time before the gaokao.

Li Zheng (People's Daily): The gaokao is a major event in the national calendar and is of huge importance to students and their families. The examination decides admission to further education, and thus fairness is especially important.

Now that the date has been delayed, it is time to strike a balance as much as possible between pandemic control and teaching. Schools and education authorities should be responsible for preparation and organization for the exam. This is also a test for schools and the authorities. Students who have difficulty accessing online classes should be provided with special assistance, otherwise it is unfair to this group.

This year's gaokao is destined to be a special one. For the 10 million or so examinees, this is a crucial step in their life. Whether by pandemic or postponement, their study plans have been disrupted, and they will no doubt have been affected psychologically by these events. These students must be strong and remain confident. They should make good use of this extra month by preparing as best they can for the exam. Schools should also try to ensure that students do not underachieve due to the disruption caused by the pandemic.

Editorial (ThePaper.cn): The gaokao is such an important examination for students that it's no exaggeration to say it will likely shape their future and change their lives forever. Any adjustment to the gaokao's

setup must therefore be circumspect. The postponement of this year's gaokao is the result of careful consideration, in the interest of students and from the perspective of safety and fairness.

While the COVID-19 pandemic has largely been brought under control, the risk from imported cases remains. We need more time to truly ascertain whether the risk has passed. Given the current situation, the July dates will probably be much safer, and by then students will feel more confident, having had an extra month's preparation for the exam. The postponement is good for both students and schools.

The delay will also make the exam fairer. Some students may not have access to the Internet and so are unable to take online classes. For this group, this extra month is even more precious.

A person's destiny is not entirely determined by his or her own hard work. Sometimes external factors like the environment, the era they live in or fortune also play a role. A successful modern society should create the conditions for individuals to tap their potential, and maximize their talent through personal effort.

The same is true for the gaokao. It is important to prevent external factors like the coronavirus from becoming another stumbling block on their way up the ladder of social mobility. Both the nationwide delay and the local arrangements in Beijing and Hubei are well-intended, with a view to minimizing the negative impact on students.

Of course, the change will inevitably disrupt the plans of schools and families. Some families have already made arrangements based on a June gaokao. The alteration will have an impact on the activities of families as well as the psychology of the students.

It is therefore important for students, their families and schools to adapt to the new gaokao timetable. Those who have been most affected by the pandemic in particular should be offered more help to align with the new plan as soon as possible.

Copyedited by Laurence Coulton