The Fiery Era: Starting from Longxugou

Chapter 97 Mobilization Meeting

On the podium, Li Zhankui emphasized the importance of filling out college application forms.

Below the podium, the students listened attentively. After receiving the booklet, they first flipped through the "Examination Syllabus" and found that the examination scope was not much different from the previous two years. They breathed a sigh of relief. Everyone was really afraid of any further changes. After all, they had just experienced the news that the college entrance examination would be moved up a month and that the exams would be divided into subject-specific exams. If there were any further changes, they probably wouldn't even need to take the exam and would just give up.

Seeing the students' reactions, Li Zhankui immediately reassured them, "Don't worry, the scope of this year's college entrance examination is not much different from the previous two years."

I mentioned the things to note a month ago. This year's college entrance examination adopts subject-based testing, and the same applies to filling out college applications. Our science, engineering, agriculture and medicine classes can only apply to schools within these four categories, and the same applies to humanities classes.

We can no longer submit mixed reports like in previous years—

Since this year is the first year of subject-based examinations, the college entrance examination scores from previous years are no longer a reference.

But don't worry, everyone.

As Zhao Shi'an listened to the teacher's explanation, he opened this year's "Examination Syllabus" and was somewhat surprised to see the defined examination scope and question types.

Modern college entrance examinations have never distributed such materials; this step is usually done by teachers.

I never expected to see a complete "Examination Syllabus" in this era. It seems to be issued every year.

There's not much to say about the exam scope, but seeing the question types and examples, he couldn't help but sigh, "Is the college entrance exam really this considerate? Are they even worried that students will misunderstand?"

With this in mind, Zhao Shi'an continued reading.

After seeing the political vetting and physical examination standards, he realized that the political vetting in this era was still very lenient. As long as you were not a counter-revolutionary, you could apply to university, let alone someone like him who was a peasant and had a background that was both politically correct and professionally competent.

However, the medical examination standards are much stricter than those of modern times.

People with red-green color blindness or color weakness are not eligible to apply for majors such as agriculture and forestry, chemical engineering, medicine, geology, civil engineering exploration, and meteorology.

Those with serious infectious diseases will be disqualified from taking the exam. The most common infectious diseases are active tuberculosis and active liver disease, including jaundice hepatitis and abnormal liver function. Those with simple hepatitis who have recovered and whose liver function is normal can take the exam.

In addition, there are venereal diseases such as syphilis and gonorrhea, as well as leprosy and open skin diseases. Except for those who have recovered from hepatitis, all others are disqualified from taking the exam.

Among chronic diseases, organic heart disease, severe hypertension, chronic nephritis with uremia, as well as epilepsy, mental illness,

Those with hysteria, severe neurosis, malignant tumors, severe bronchiectasis, or recurrent asthma are all disqualified from applying.

Mild asthma disqualifies applicants from engineering majors. Mild rheumatism, chronic stomach problems, and mild anemia disqualify applicants from field exploration, mining and metallurgy, and precision machinery majors.

In addition, there are separate restricted categories for agricultural science majors.

People with severe varicose veins in the lower limbs, lameness, or bone and joint disabilities cannot apply for agricultural studies because agricultural science requires fieldwork. However, they can apply for accounting or teacher training programs.

Seeing so many requirements, Zhao Shi'an felt a pang of anxiety. Although there are restrictions in modern college entrance examinations, they are far less stringent than those of this era.

However, considering the level of medical care at that time, it is understandable.

After reading the medical examination requirements, Zhao Shi'an couldn't help but worry.

Other things are fine, but his biggest worries are active tuberculosis and liver disease.

Both of these diseases are the most common ailments among the people living in Longxugou.

Before liberation, Longxugou was a stinking ditch, teeming with mosquitoes and flies, and a hotspot for tuberculosis and liver disease, causing many deaths every year.

Thinking about all this, Zhao Shi'an was also a little worried. He was worried that he was in the incubation period of tuberculosis, and that a medical examination—no!—would not be able to detect it with the medical level of the 1950s.

He has been drinking the spring water in the space for two months, and his physical condition has improved a lot. As for anemia and stomach problems, it's still early and he needs to take it slowly. No wonder the teacher asked his family to supplement his nutrition more during the home visit. They were worried that his anemia would affect his college application!

Thinking of this, Zhao Shi'an felt much more at ease. Even if he was diagnosed with anemia and stomach problems, it wouldn't matter. It wouldn't affect his studies in agriculture. On the contrary, it could become a shield for him not to apply for science and engineering majors.

After reviewing the "Examination Syllabus," he picked up the "1954 National Unified Enrollment Guidelines for Institutions of Higher Learning" and began to read it.

The admission brochure is not very long, but it includes a list of universities nationwide, the number of students to be admitted to each department, introductions to the majors, the application process, and a sample application form.

The program description specifically highlights the role of this major in national development, emphasizing its service to industrialization and encouraging students to apply.

There were very few universities in 54. Zhao Shi'an counted them and found that there were only 188 in total, of which only a dozen or so were comprehensive universities, including Peking University, Fudan University, Wuhan University, and Lanzhou University.

In addition, it is worth mentioning that Harbin Institute of Technology will not be enrolling students this year. As a result, among the engineering colleges in Northeast China, only Dalian University of Technology is well-known, which is naturally much inferior to Harbin Institute of Technology.

As a result, students from the three northeastern provinces are very likely to apply to science and engineering colleges in Beijing. Considering that the exams are held in different regions, this will not have much impact on students in North China.

Besides Harbin Institute of Technology, Renmin University has significantly reduced its enrollment quotas, and most of its finance, economics, and law programs have stopped enrolling students.

Beijing's political and legal college has drastically reduced its enrollment quota and suspended enrollment in some majors; this is the case for political and legal colleges across the country.

These majors are for humanities and social sciences students, so they have no impact on them. Whether or not they are offered admission, they cannot apply.

Of the 188 universities, one top-tier university is not enrolling students, and the remaining humanities and social sciences universities have suspended enrollment to varying degrees. In addition, some institutions have been split up, resulting in the suspension of enrollment. Compared with the previous two years, this year's college entrance examination situation is still quite severe, especially for students applying for humanities and social sciences majors. So many majors have reduced or even suspended enrollment, which will definitely affect their mentality.

"Students, after the school's mobilization meeting tomorrow, the physical examinations will be held on Sunday! When I visited your homes earlier, I asked your parents to supplement your nutrition to reduce anemia and stomach problems. It's been three or four months now, and if you continue to eat meat and eggs to supplement your nutrition, you should be able to recover! When the physical examination results come out, it won't affect your choice of major—"

Now everyone, please take out your admission brochures and turn to the page with the application form!

As Li Zhankui spoke, he picked up the "Admission Brochure," flipped to the section on the application form, and continued his explanation.

"Students, please read carefully. You can fill in three choices on the application form—"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Shi'an looked over and noticed that the application form had three fixed columns that clearly stated:

Five blank lines are reserved after each of the first, second, and third departmental choices.

"These three choices are admitted in order of priority. The first choice is the major you most want to apply for. The next five blanks are the five universities you most want to apply to and whose grades are good enough. All five universities must offer this major."

During the admission process, students will be admitted based on their first choice of major and the first university they listed. If they do not meet the requirements, they will be compared with the second university, and so on, until they are still not admitted by the fifth university.

Then you can fill in your application from the second major you apply for, and you can also fill in five more schools after that. The admission rules remain the same. For example, if you apply for mechanical engineering, the next five schools would be Tsinghua University, Nankai University, etc.

The admission process starts with Tsinghua University; if you're admitted, all other applications are voided. If you don't get into Tsinghua, you move on to Nankai University, the second choice. If you fail to get into any of the five universities, then you start applying to the second department. Do you all understand?

Li Zhankui looked at everyone in the class as he spoke.

"Understood!"

The students responded loudly.

After listening, Zhao Shi'an realized that the college entrance examination admission rules of the three choices and fifteen universities in this era were very similar to the first and second choices before the college entrance examination reform. Both were admitted in order. The difference was that you could directly choose to be transferred to a university major, instead of having to wait until you were rejected by all majors before you could be transferred.

"Great! On the application form, you can apply for a total of three majors and fifteen universities. Generally speaking, you are encouraged to go for the first major and the first three universities, and play it safe for the last two."

Of course, it would be best to get into your first-choice department and your first-choice university, but it's okay if you don't. There are still fourteen more opportunities. Even if you are not admitted to any of them, don't be discouraged.

Did everyone see the "Accept Assignment/Reassignment" section at the end? After checking the box to agree, the admissions office will assign everyone to universities that are short of students.

Don't worry! The government will ensure that no one is without access to university.

However, most of these schools are agricultural and forestry colleges and remote normal colleges, and the conditions are still very difficult.

Therefore, everyone should carefully fill out their college applications and try their best not to be rejected.

After giving repeated instructions, Li Zhankui finally began the class.

After class, the students gathered in small groups to discuss filling out their college applications.

"Shi'an, what major are you planning to study?"

"Shi'an, with such good grades, you have a chance even if you apply to Tsinghua or Peking University."

"Yeah! Didn't our teacher suggest aiming high for the first three, and playing it safe for the last two? There are only two spots available for Tsinghua and Peking University, those are the top four universities!"

"Tsinghua and Peking University are too competitive, I haven't decided what to study yet! I'll think about it after the mobilization meeting tomorrow!"

Zhao Shi'an gave a few perfunctory replies, saying that while Tsinghua and Peking Universities were good, it was ultimately a waste of his golden finger.

"That makes sense! Just look at what the principal said at the mobilization meeting!"

Everyone agreed with this. The examination syllabus and admission brochure had been distributed, and there were about ten days to consider it. There was still plenty of time, so there was no rush.

The next day, Saturday, after the morning reading session, the entire senior class gathered in front of the auditorium for a meeting.

Today is a mobilization meeting for college application guidance, and also a meeting to encourage and cheer on the students.

This year's college entrance examination has been moved to July 15th. Today is May 22nd, which is less than two months away.

When the students carried their benches to the auditorium, they saw that the stage was covered with red flags and banners with white backgrounds and red characters hanging in the air, such as "Study math, physics and chemistry well to build a new China" and "Save the country through industry, take root in construction" and other slogans full of the characteristics of the times.

On the contrary, there were no signs saying "Good luck on the college entrance exam" at all.

Looking at this scene, Zhao Shi'an thought of what his homeroom teacher had said yesterday: "The country will not let you go to university without a place to study," provided that he agreed to be assigned to another major if necessary.

Since the government provides a safety net, there's not much point in trying hard for the college entrance exam. As long as your grades aren't too bad, you can basically get into university.

Once everyone had arrived, Principal Fu Jufeng, dressed in a crisp Zhongshan suit, stood on the platform and, speaking into the standing microphone, called out in a loud voice, "Good morning, students!"

In just over a month, everyone will be taking the college entrance examination. Today, we are holding a mobilization meeting!

Firstly, I wanted to offer some advice, and secondly, I wanted to encourage and cheer everyone on.

This year is a crucial year for the country's industrialization!

Now that we have driven out the invaders, our country is newly established and everything needs to be rebuilt. Research institutes are short of people, factories are short of engineers, mines are short of technicians, and we are also short of people to build the country. There is a shortage of people everywhere!

This year's college entrance examination was brought forward, and the subject-specific examinations are also intended to better cultivate talent.

Students majoring in science, engineering, agriculture, and medicine should prioritize applying to engineering, mechanical engineering, civil engineering, and mechatronics! Heavy industry and manufacturing are the backbone of our nation!

On the podium, Fu Jufeng spoke passionately, while the students below stood ramrod straight, their eyes burning with enthusiasm.

Seeing his classmates' reactions, Zhao Shi'an was deeply moved! He thought to himself, "This is truly a glorious era. The students' awareness and thinking are unmatched by modern people."

Students in the humanities and social sciences category should prioritize applying for teacher training, medical and nursing, and health-related majors, based on their own circumstances.

Teaching and nurturing students, saving lives and healing the wounded, being stable and pragmatic, and serving the people are the most suitable positions for everyone, and also the positions that the country is most in need of!

A few years ago, the country wanted to change the primary and secondary schools into a five-year integrated system, but it had to be stopped last year because of a shortage of teachers.

When talking about the shortage of teachers, Fu Jufeng had a lot of feelings. In previous years, he advocated for the reform of secondary schools, preferably to a "2-2-1" system. This way, students could graduate a year earlier from the traditional six years of secondary school, and those who graduated could start their university studies earlier. Even those with poorer academic performance could start working earlier to contribute to the country's development.

The program had to be suspended due to a shortage of qualified teachers.

Upon hearing the principal's words, the students in the literature and history class all stood tall and proud, knowing full well that this was the mission bestowed upon them by the times!

Seeing the students' reactions, Fu Jufeng was very satisfied. After giving them many instructions, he concluded: "Students, the 'Admission Brochure' that was distributed yesterday contains information on the majors offered by various schools, the number of students admitted, and a description of each major. It also explains how students can help the country after completing their studies. You can fill out the application according to your own circumstances!"

When filling out college applications, prioritizing the needs of the nation is paramount! Everyone should set aside personal interests, respond to the call, and strive towards the goals that the motherland and the people need most!

As soon as he finished speaking, thunderous applause filled the auditorium!

Zhao Shi'an stared at this unique college application mobilization meeting for a long time without saying a word. He thought the principal would be more tactful, but he didn't expect him to be so blunt! He actually encouraged everyone to apply for majors that the country urgently needs.

Judging from the students' reactions, it seems that this was exactly how it should be!

Zhao Shi'an, who is well-versed in modern history, knows that the First Five-Year Plan is currently progressing steadily, and there is a shortage of talent throughout the country. High schools and universities are undoubtedly excellent training bases.

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