Bulletin Autumn‧Winter 2000

(2) Decentralization of Curriculum Development and Financial Arrangement Curriculum development is observed t o show signs of decentralization i n response to local needs. About 40 per cent o fthe schools report that they underwent major curriculum changes in the three years prio r t o1997. Alongside government-designed curricula and textbooks , the schools have also adopted locally develope d curricula and textbooks. The employment of teachers also shows signs of decentralization. Abou t a quarter of the school s r e p o r t t ha t t h e n umb er of teachers they hire falls below the designated level, and the resources have instead been used to improve other aspects of th e school. Over half of the schools admi t that they have manipulated school resources to attract more and better teachers. (3) A Thriving Labour Market Shenzhen's 'labour market' is the mainland version of the employment agency. Inside the premise s of the market, potential employer s interview job seekers and , a t times, make job offers on the site. Some l a bour markets' have been computerized. They display vacancy notices on large LCD screens, and also provide computerized employer- employee matching service. The thriving 'labour market ' in Shenzhen is an indicatio n of the great manpower mobility there. It also provides an important mechanism for the movement of workers from state units to non-state enterprises . CHINES E UNIVERSIT Y BULLETI N Autumn Winter 2000 38