The number of university graduates has grown fast the last couple of years to more than 4 million this year. The problem is the number of jobs requiring graduates has not kept pace. The result is fierce competition for a job and downward pressure on the salaries of job seekers.
At the end of middle school, the pressure to pass the dreaded university entrance examination is unbearable. Those who fail, bring shame to their families. Those who pass, face four more years of study hell to graduate with the highest honors, to be the number one of the class, ahead of their peers.
Then it’s on to get a PhD, the top in academic achievement. And still, you may end up, literally, on the street…
In Guangzhou, 286 university graduates and post-graduates competed for 11 positions as street cleaners. One PhD, four master’s and six bachelor degree holders were recruited…
On November 25, 535,574 people participated in a national examination for civil servants. 42 people competed on average for each job.
In Zhengzhou, more than 30,000 students stampeded into an exhibition center where a job fair was held, desperate to find a job. Students were just swept along in the throng of people, their feet barely touching the ground, Edward Cody writes in the Washington Post.
Premier Wen Jiabao decided to spend more on education, which of course is a good thing. Spending will go up to 4% of GDP.
But equally important, China will have to find ways to offer all those graduates a decent job.
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