After reading your translation, Allen, I have some random thoughts on the article:

1. The more parents become aware of these corrupt “voluntary donation” practices, the less they will be willing to tolerate when such things happen to them. So, I think the media having the ability to expose these types of crimes is a good thing. Too much of media supposedly looking after the interest of citizens could turn into media manufacturing unnecessary concerns, such as what we see in the West and is not a great thing either.

The case of the dead reporter really indicates the seriousness of the corruption.

2. On the local hearing example, it’s interesting also. I thought China’s experiments at various cities or villages of differing policies is a really wise thing. They watch carefully, and if some works out well, they adapt them everywhere.

3. After 3 decades of growth and climbing out of hunger, people are increasingly looking more beyond their door steps. It wouldn’t be practical for school officials to have asked for excessive “voluntary” donations a while ago, because nobody had extra rmb lying around.

The on-going industrial revolution is probably the biggest force for change and “acceptance.” I agree with the conclusion paragraph. The government will continually have to watch out for evolving needs of society and address through improving governance and policies.

I don’t think this will happen in China any time soon – but once we see budget deficits like we see in the U.S., then we know governance has started going into hell. (Ok, some might say, rather, that’s citizenship responsibility going into hell.)