"Illegal competition!" Recently, the Ministry of Education responded to the public's response to the "Ye Shengtao Cup" Chinese Youth Composition Competition, which aroused social concern.

　　The reporter's investigation found that there are still many kinds of illegal competitions targeting primary and middle school students and their parents.

Many "competitions" often advertise "national level", but "you will get a prize if you pay for it", and there are many problems behind it.

gimmick

Frequently "national level" to talk about things with resumes

　　"One of the three major writing competitions, the 'Wei Xue Cup' is calling for papers." On a social platform, someone posted an advertisement for such a competition, which attracted many parents to ask how to participate.

In the advertisement, it is claimed that the "Weixue Cup" composition competition is as famous as the "Ye Shengtao Cup" and "Bingxin Cup" and belongs to the "national level" writing competition.

And when he asked if he could still sign up for the "Ye Shengtao Cup" composition competition, he said that it had ended on February 16.

　　Such "high-end" composition competition advertisements are not an exception.

There is also a "2023 competition list" compiled by the intermediary, which includes a number of various composition, calligraphy and painting competitions for primary and middle school students across the country.

And these competitions are declared as "high authority, high gold content elementary and middle school competitions."

　　All kinds of competitions are frequently described as "national", "national" and "high authority" by publicity, and some even directly use the name "China" in the competition, which is full of gimmicks at first glance.

　　On China Children's Art Network, the 13th China Children's Painting and Calligraphy Photography Competition is underway.

Judging from the call for papers, there are no restrictions on themes, types of works, sizes and specifications of works, and the number of contributions per student. There is hardly any threshold.

Although the competition is held every year, each session is divided into four seasons, spring, summer, autumn and winter, and submissions can be made at any time throughout the year.

　　"The competition upholds the educational concept of encouragement and appreciation, and there are rich awards for entries." The column of awards shows that for every 10,000 works, there are 200 special gold awards, 1,000 gold awards, 2,500 silver awards, and 4,000 bronze awards. for the Excellence Award.

Also "generous" in terms of awards is the 14th "Flying China" National Youth and Children's Painting and Calligraphy Photography Activity.

Judging from the solicitation letter, this year's award-winning works are divided into "Little Artist Talent Award" 5‰, 1% of the special prize, 25% of the first prize, 30% of the second prize, 30% of the third prize, and several excellence awards.

　　What is the use of participating in these competitions?

After consulting several "teachers" who are responsible for the registration on behalf of them, most of them talk about their children's admission to higher education or "reviews of the best and first".

"It is mainly for the optimization of the resume of the junior high school." "It can enrich the resume."

And some people directly claim that they can assist in the evaluation of the first, "Primary and middle school students have rich resumes, and the evaluation of the first needs to be supported by a national authoritative competition certificate... Prepare according to the list, and it will be reliable!"

insider

Paying money and getting rewards is suspected of "black competition"

　　How difficult is it to participate in these various composition, calligraphy and painting competitions, and is there a high chance of winning?

After investigation, the reporter found that the difficulty of many competitions was low.

At least in the publicity link, almost all of them "pay money to win prizes" in disguise.

　　"Children are mainly encouraged, and you collectively can be judged by the teacher." When the reporter asked whether he could get a trophy if he paid money as a teacher of a training institution, the staff of the 7th "China Hope Cup" National Youth and Children's Painting and Calligraphy Photography Competition said Blinking, and the call for contributions clearly stated in the participation method that each participant will be charged a registration fee of 100 yuan, and the organizing committee will issue an award certificate, a "New Era Classic Young Artist" Medal of Honor, and a new thermos cup as a gift. It also emphasizes that the top of the front of the medal is the national emblem, the bottom is Tiananmen Square and Huabiao, and the back is engraved with the words of China Hope Cup National Youth Painting and Calligraphy Photography Competition.

　　In addition, the solicitation letter also mentions that authors who pay 185 yuan will be given an honorary trophy, and authors who pay 300 yuan will be given an additional album, and the winning works will be printed on the album.

　　"Participation is guaranteed" and "Minimum Excellence Award", this is the 19th "Weixue Cup" composition competition for primary and secondary schools that many teachers on behalf of the applicant said.

Two substitute teachers from different institutions said that participating in this competition will at least win an excellent award, certificates and composition books.

As for the competition, a registered teacher said that he would go directly to the re-examination stage. A group buying link he sent showed that "review needs to pay 100 yuan as a material fee", and 153 people have signed up for group buying; It is 560 yuan.

　　The 14th "Flying China" National Youth and Children's Painting and Calligraphy Photography Activity stipulates that award-winning young authors can book the "Crystal Trophy" at a price of 130 yuan; the "Exquisite Flying Trophy" at a price of 180 yuan; It is 140 yuan.

　　"It can be handed in at the time of the competition, or it can be handed in after winning the award." The staff of the organizing committee said that all participating students will be awarded, and the grades will be assessed according to their works.

The teachers of the training institutions can give the initial evaluation opinions when the students participate in the competition, and the jury of the organizing committee can refer to them.

　　On January 31 this year, the Ministry of Education issued the "Reminder on Joint Boycott of Illegal Competitions for Primary and Secondary School Students" on its official website.

It mentioned that those who are not included in the "National Competition Activities List for Primary and Secondary School Students in the 2022-2025 School Year" announced by the Ministry of Education are "black competitions" held in violation of regulations.

The reporter inquired about the above competitions and found that none of them were included in this list.

In other words, the above competitions are all "black competitions" held in violation of regulations.

confuse

I can't find my address and I'm lost

　　The investigation found that the above competitions were not only not included in the list issued by the Ministry of Education, but also had doubts about their identities and related information.

Some organizers could not find relevant information, some phone numbers were empty, and on-site visits were also in vain.

　　Take the 14th "Flying China" National Youth and Children's Painting and Calligraphy Photography Activity as an example.

The call for contributions shows that the organizer of the event is the China Youth Painting and Calligraphy Art Association.

In the overview of the association, it is stated that the association is a social group with independent legal personality approved by the government.

However, the reporter entered the national social organization credit information disclosure platform to conduct a social organization inquiry, and found that the organization did not appear in the results.

　　The 13th China Children's Painting and Calligraphy Photography Competition is hosted by the China Children's Art Education Association.

The reporter searched for social organizations from the National Social Organization Credit Information Publicity Platform, but also did not see the organization.

The reporter noticed that the co-organizers of the competition include China Children's Art Co., Ltd.

Searched on Tianyancha and found that the company was incorporated in Hong Kong in 2012.

　　The organizer of the 19th "Weixue Cup" National Creative Composition Competition for Primary and Secondary School Students is also confusing.

The advertisements for several competitions show that the organizers are the Research Association of Reading and Writing Teaching of the Chinese Rhetoric Society and the editorial department of Composition for Learning.

However, the reporter called the two contact numbers left by the organizer several times in a row, but they were unable to get through.

One of the prompts was an "empty number", and the other call was marked as a "harassing call" by 12 people, and automatic music was played after repeated calls, but no one answered.

The reporter noticed that one of the organizers of the competition, the Chinese Rhetoric Society Literacy Teaching Research Association, announced on its official website that its office address is located in Chaoyang District.

However, on-the-spot investigation found that the address was hidden in a residential area, and there were many families living on the floor, but I did not see the office signboard of the organization hanging at the door of any one.

to respond

Resolutely crack down on illegal competition activities

　　What do you think of the "national level" or "high gold content" claimed by various competitions? Can these various competitions really "optimize your resume"?

In this regard, the reporter consulted the Beijing Chaoyang District Education Commission as a parent.

According to a staff member in charge of the relevant department, the Ministry of Education has previously issued a document specifically targeting primary and middle school students participating in competitions. The 44 competitions in the document are formal, which is what everyone verbally calls the "white list."

If you can't find relevant competition information in the "white list", "we don't advocate participation, and the school will not organize students to participate."

　　The staff of the Chaoyang District Education Committee said that there are two ways to judge the authenticity and level of a competition: one is that the parents themselves can inquire on the official website of the Ministry of Education, which is public information that is not difficult to find.

Second, the Education Committee has also reminded all schools and made clear requirements that every teacher must know about the competition.

"If you have any questions, consult the head teacher as soon as possible, and the head teacher will answer."

　　As for some people claiming that the competition can "optimize your resume", the Chaoyang District Education Committee responded that there is no such thing.

"All competitions, even those on the 'white list' of the Ministry of Education, have nothing to do with enrollment." The staff member said that parents can voluntarily participate in all kinds of competitions on the Internet, and at most it is regarded as a gift for their children. Opportunities to demonstrate strengths, but not related to admissions.

　　The reporter noticed that the Ministry of Education also issued a circular to remind parents that currently, there are serious problems in illegal competitions in the society, such as high fees, chaotic management, low quality, peddling awards, and profiteering, which not only increase the burden on students, but also destroy the educational ecology. , and hide the risk of fraud and infringe on the interests of the masses.

The Ministry of Education will continue to work with public security, market supervision and other departments to resolutely crack down on all kinds of illegal competition activities.

　　Beijing Daily Client | Reporter Beiwan Investigation Team