Politics
19:28, 15-Sep-2017
China Footprint: Select school district housing prices on the rise
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With a significant imbalance in educational resources in big cities like Beijing, many parents are putting everything on the line to get their children into a reputable elementary school -- feeling even at that age, it will be a springboard to a brighter future.
Living just across the street from her school, fourth grader, Zhang Xin, barely worries about being late. Three years ago, her family moved here all the way across Beijing, so Zhang could enroll in the Zhongguancun No. 2 Elementary School, known as one of the capital's finest.
Zhang Xin quite enjoys studying here saying “after I moved here, I made many friends. I’m very happy. I think the school is pretty good.”
CGTN Photo
CGTN Photo
For Zhang and her new-born baby sister, the family paid 14 million yuan (two million US dollars) for a three-bedroom apartment. Their new home costs twice as much, per square meter, as their old one, in Wangjing, Chaoyang district. They sacrificed living space and financial security, as they're now seven million yuan in debt.
Yet Zhang’s father, Zhang Hongtao, has no regrets.
"We compared schools before moving here. This school cares about cultivating children’s interests, provides many international exchange programs, expanding kids’ horizon. Many students go on to enroll in good middle schools. So, I think it’s worthwhile.” He said.
CGTN Photo
CGTN Photo
There is an imbalance in the quality of education in schools across Beijing. Among the city's 16 districts, few are considered to have quality educational resources or a concentration of what so called “good” schools. The one Zhang lives in, Haidian District, is one of them.
The number of select, or “key” middle and elementary schools in Haidian doubles that of Chaoyang District, where Zhang Xin’s family used to live. Interestingly, these schools also get preferential treatment.
China puts about 10 million yuan or even more into each key school every year, but for other schools, some only get a few million yuan. Sometimes, there are no first-tier teachers in a school or a district, but some of the select schools recruit top teachers from around the country, sometimes as many as 20 or 30, ” Renmin University Professor, Cheng Fangping said.
CGTN Photo
CGTN Photo
But to be accepted into these key schools, children now need to live in the school neighborhood.
In 2015, the Chinese government announced stricter regulations on who could enroll where, and this triggered a boom in the housing market.
Hu Jinghui, vice president of a letting agency in Beijing described the situation in Changchun Street, a typical select school district.
"In May 2015, we sold 20 apartments in one month in our store on Changchun Street. 560 people had registered to purchase. Usually, three people might compete for one apartment, but at that time it was normal for up to 50 to compete for one.”
CGTN Photo
CGTN Photo
Beijing is no exception. Big cities across the country are facing the same problem.
The Chinese government has recognized the problem and is making big efforts to find an equitable solution.
“Fairness and equality are the two themes of our reform. We mainly reach fairness in educational resources for compulsory schooling,” said Chen Baosheng, Chinese Minister of Education.
CGTN Photo
CGTN Photo
Some key schools are now creating "branch schools" or forming alliances with less sought-after schools, hoping to cover more people. Meanwhile, the government is also prohibiting real estate agencies from advertising "school district housing" in a bid to drive up prices. But that doesn’t seem to have stopped the skyrocketing demand, or prices, in these highly-desired neighborhoods.
Before the government changes the situation, Zhang’s family is one of the lucky few who can afford the expensive select school district housing and the luxury of providing their children with the best quality education. As Zhang’s parents say, they don’t want Xin to lose out even before she begins her education. They can’t guarantee her a great future, but they can at least provide her a good platform.
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