The Education Department of south China's Hainan province issued a document requiring all junior middle schools to exclude geography and biology from the examination list.

An article in China Youth Daily says the move might have a negative impact on the comprehensive development of the students. According to the document, the move is aimed at reducing the burden of middle school students. However, some educators have different opinions. They think the move will harm the interests of students in learning the two subjects. Moreover, students will only pay attention to the study of subjects such as Chinese, English and math, which are included in the list of entrance examinations for senior high school students.

The newspaper cites some worried parents as saying that the move will put their children at a disadvantage when they take part in the national entrance examination for college students. As a rule, the scores for geography and biology play an important part in the national examination.

In conclusion, the article stresses that the comprehensive development of students should not be sacrificed when the educational authority takes measures to alleviate the burden of young learners.