In response to the media report indicating that a regular national competence exam will be implemented for elementary and junior high school students, the MOE said that they are actually hoping to set up a learning assessment standard to measure the student's academic performance, rather than bombarding them with more tests.

These students are working hard at exams, as they take an average of 3 a semester.

There are concerns that their workload may increase, as the Ministry of Education is considering holding nationwide, standardized exams.

Also, there may be established academic targets for these students to meet.

Those who fail to meet them, will have to go for remedial teaching.

Some parents fear this program will increase the academic pressure on their children.

The Ministry of Education, at noon, quickly clarified that it had no such tests, but in the future it would use a test, to develop a set of learning assessment standards.

These could be used as reference by teachers to ensure the quality of junior high school education.

Parent groups say that that in many counties, 60-70% of primary school students cannot keep pace, as the Ministry of Education hopes to quickly address the issue and make plans for improvement.

In response to the 12-year compulsory education program, the Ministry of Education intends to make improvements in many areas to improve academic achievement.

It also hopes to solve the serious problem of uneven education.

Parent groups say that the Ministry of Education should be careful not to increase the burden on their children.