Shanghai's millions of primary school pupils will have an easy time this autumn, a traditional season for mid-term examinations.

Grade one and two pupils would not have mid-term exams and those in grades three to five would have more flexible academic assessments instead of the mid-term exams, the Shanghai Daily reported.

Although the reform varies in all districts, the key purpose is to relieve pupils of academic pressures, said Fang Yin of the Yangpu District Educational Commission. Fang is in charge of the district’s primary school management.

Another reformation act deals with the score report system.

The previous pupil handbook which records test scores has been replaced with a brochure called the “Student Growth Record Book.” Assessments such as “good” and “excellent” will replace accurate scores, while the use of the word “pass” will be substituted with “more hard work needed.”

(Shenzhen Daily November 5, 2004)