Comment on "Too much emphasis on English", (China Daily, March 13)

In the news report, Mr Yu suggested that English marks in the university entrance exams should be decreased from 150 to 100 or even 80, in order to provide more equitable conditions for rural students to be accepted by colleges.

In my opinion that's really a solution with Chinese characteristics. Instead of solving the problem, what he suggested will only lower the education standard. That will not really help rural students. English should never be sacrificed for convenience. It's an important tool of communication both here and abroad. If there are a majority of rural students who have difficulties in studying English, we should not blame the exam level, but reflect on how to improve rural education the authorities provide to the rural students.

A reader, on China Daily website

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(China Daily 03/19/2012 page9)