Patriotic patter winning students

FOR the first time in China since university entrance examinations were reinstated in the late 1970s, students applying for science subjects at college this year were exempted from the notorious political science exam.

The examination was used by the authorities to gauge the political correctness of students entering university but was widely resented.

While liberal arts majors still had to take the political science examination during last week's national college entrance examinations, many educationalists believed they would soon be exempted.

''The political science examination is an anachronism,'' a Beijing college professor said. ''For a long time now students have simply been regurgitating the correct answers in the exam without thinking.'' But while the demise of the political science examination was welcomed by students and teachers alike, analysts warned the move should not be seen as a sign of political liberalisation in the classroom.

''This does not mean the authorities are easing up on the student population. In fact it is quite the opposite,'' a Beijing University student said.

''By getting rid of the political science exam they are removing one more source of tension between the students and the authorities.'' The student claimed the State Education Commission was concerned by forcing students to study Marxist doctrine and Communist Party propaganda it gave students something to rebel against.

''Several officials in the commission believe the 1986 and 1989 student protests were in some part a revolt against the political dogma of the time,'' the student said.