Some 150 million students in rural areas in China will have access to free compulsory education from 2007.

 

 

On average an elementary school pupil can save up to 140 yuan every year, a junior high school student up to 180 yuan and a boarder might save as much as 500 yuan.

 

This project was first tried out in western China last spring and has benefited nearly 50 million students.

 

"We'll not only cut down tuitions but we'll also regulate all other fees to create a 'real' compulsory education for the farmers," said Wang Ming, vice director of the Fundamental Department of the Research Center of Education and Development of the Ministry of Education.

 

The Ministry will monitor the school fees to stop illicit charging. It's recommended that local governments should provide the required textbooks and other necessities to students.

 

(Chinanews.cn January 5, 2007)