After New Year's Day, there were more parents in the entry-exit reception halls of various districts in Beijing who were applying for Hong Kong and Macao passes for their children. They were about to participate in a mysterious event, codenamed "DSS" (Masters Competition). In early January, coded news about primary school Mathematical Olympiad “cups” such as the “Hope Cup” and “China Cup” became active in parent groups again. Booking tickets, booking hotels, applying for Hong Kong and Macao passes... Under the "matchmaking" and "command" of the training institution, parents completed registration, payment, pre-trip preparations and other preliminary work. (See "Beijing News" on January 30)

　　In recent years, relevant national authorities have continued to crack down on various "black competitions." In February 2018, four departments including the Ministry of Education jointly issued a notice clearly stating that "off-campus training institutions are strictly prohibited from organizing grade examinations and competitions for primary and secondary school students, and training by off-campus training institutions will be resolutely investigated and dealt with." Behaviors whose results are linked to enrollment in primary and secondary schools.” Starting from 2019, the Ministry of Education has implemented a whitelist management of national competitions for primary and secondary school students. Several primary school Mathematical Olympiad Cup competitions in the news are not only illegal, but have also been named and banned by the Ministry of Education many times.

　　Despite this, some competition organizers have not stopped. Especially during the winter and summer vacations, various "black competitions" change their names and formats, and under the guise of "study trips" and other guises, students are "packaged" and sent to confidential test centers. Come back after the exam. This has greatly compromised relevant policies and aggravated the anxiety of students and parents.

　　Why is “black competition” banned repeatedly? For a long time, competition award certificates have been regarded by parents as a bargaining chip for primary school students to compete for high-quality educational resources, so their popularity has not diminished. The "gold content" of the Mathematical Olympiad competition is valued by many schools. Although the state has repeatedly banned linking Mathematical Olympiad scores with admission to higher schools and class placement, in reality there is still a disconnect, and the game of "changing vests" is often played in the Mathematical Olympiad. The children participating in the above-mentioned news are mainly from primary school to junior high school, and the competition certificate will be written on the resume of primary school to junior high school - according to the saying circulated by parents, "If there is a prize like the Masters Competition, you can 'walk sideways'."

　　The key to rectifying "black competition" is to completely cut off its connection with higher education. As long as various competitions are "useful" to students and parents, training institutions will naturally do everything possible to create "opportunities." For example, reports show that from the time after the final exam to before the cup exam, the sprint classes and assault classes set up by many institutions for the Mathematical Olympiad competition are full. To improve the effectiveness of rectification, relevant departments need to take proactive actions. On the one hand, it is necessary to strengthen supervision over the enrollment process such as "primary school to junior high school" and guide schools to implement enrollment policies; on the other hand, training institutions that commit crimes must be investigated and punished in accordance with the law to serve as a warning to others. A few days ago, the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Public Security have made it clear that the "Masters Tournament (DSS)", "Hope Cup (XWB)", "Hua Cup (HBS)" and other "black competitions" are held in violation of regulations and will be severely cracked down with relevant departments. I hope this can effectively curb related chaos.

　　Objectively speaking, Mathematical Olympiad is not a learning content suitable for most children. In addition to regulating and regulating relevant aspects, parents should also return to rationality, carefully consider according to their children's interests, and avoid blindly following trends and ineffective involution, not to mention encouraging others to be counterproductive. .

　　(Worker Daily Hu Xinhong)