(A) Tuition Reform for Higher Education

Chinese institutions of higher learning have quickened their pace of reform in recent years. Changing enrollment practices and higher tuition fees constitute and important part of the reform. Schools which once admitted students almost exclusively according to state plans are becoming more accepting of students sent by work groups for further training and those who pay their own fees.
Regular universities and colleges plan to enroll about 786 200 students this year, up 158 200 or 25 percent over last year’s figure. Of these, 216 000, or 27.4 percent, will be sent by their work groups or will pay their own way.
In the past, the state paid all tuition and school fees for university students, a matter of policy since New China was established in 1949. Although this practice guaranteed the supply of qualified personnel, it brought a heavy burden to the sate, hindering further development of higher education. Since higher education is non—compulsory education in China, to charge appropriate fees will help improve school facilities and expedite the development of education in this stage. As an added benefit, paying their own way will encourage students to study harder.
The reform will take effect in two directions. State—financed students will begin paying part of the costs of their education, and more self—paying students will be accepted.
In August 1989, under the direction of the State council, the State Education Commission, the Ministry of Finance and the Sate Price Bureau drew up stipulations concerning the amount of charges on tuition, accommodation and other expenses for students of institutions of higher learning. Beginning from that year, freshmen at regular universities and colleges and professional schools (including cadres taking special training courses and students working on a second degree) were charged 100 yuan (about us $17) each for their tuition fee, and this low charge is expected to be raised gradually. The figure was higher in special economic zones and economically developed regions such as Guangdong Province and Shanghai, but was capped at 300 yuan. Students living on campus paid about 20 yuan per year for accommodation and the charge was slightly higher for better furnishing. Normal school students and those admitted on scholarships need only pay for accommodation. Reduced tuitions and fees are available to students in need of financial assistance, but accommodation expenses will remain the same.
In June 1992, the State Education Commission, the Ministry of Finance and the State Price Bureau decided to allow regular institutions of higher education to set their own tuition rates and charges for accommodation, short—term training programs, correspondence courses and night school. These should be determined according to the needs of each school, the abilities of students to pay and general conditions in each area. The tuition for students in the sciences and engineering can range from 300 to 500 yuan per academic year. Liberal arts, history and economics students of the fine arts pay 400 to 600 yuan per year, and students of the fine arts 400 to 750 yuan. Statistics for 1992 show students paid an average of 340 yuan in tuition that year, only 5 percent of the real cost.
Measures have been taken to limit the possible detrimental affects of rising tuition. Shanghai, for instance, exempts the children of revolutionary martyrs from paying tuition. And these costs may be reduced or waived for students with limited family financial support as their parents are either both dead or are receiving subsidies from their work units. Some colleges have also set up work—study programs to benefit students with financial difficulties
Guidelines concerning self—paying students were first set out in 1989. The State Education Commission, the Ministry of Finance and the State Price Bureau stipulated that these students should pay 80 percent of the cost of their education. Such students who live on campus pay the standard rate for accommodation and must cover their own medical expenses. The charge for each self—paying student averaged 2 000 yuan of the cost in 1992, or 30 percent of the cost. Charges for undergraduates and students of special colleges whose education is sponsored by work units, with payment coming either in part or in full from their units, are somewhat higher. Self—paying students are not assigned jobs by the state after graduation, whereas students sent by their units will return to them after graduating.
Charges for correspondence courses and night school are equal to or slightly higher than those for full-time students enrolled according to the state plan.
With their improvement of their living standards and the deepening of reform, people in general accept the changes in the tuition system. To facilitate the development of higher education, the increases in tuition rates will be more flexible and diversified. Student payments will be augmented by finding from the state, enterprises and funds raised from the public. Laws and regulations will by enacted to ensure steady progress, and overseas organizations and individuals are encouraged to set up and operate schools in China.
--21st Century, Apr.20, 1992