Local governments should take practical measures to help students from impoverished families to continue their education, Chinese State Councilor Chen Zhili said on Sunday.

 

Chen said the policy of helping poverty-stricken students was a significant measure to ensure education equality and the development of education.

 

It will help to build a harmonious society, Chen said.

 

China will allocate more than 50 billion yuan (about US$6.5 billion) as scholarships, student loans and subsidies to help poverty-stricken students, according to a circular issued by the State Council in May, which will benefit about 4 million college students and more than 16 million vocational school students.

 

Chen stressed the approval and management of scholarships and subsidies should be fair and transparent to ensure the money is really used on the poverty-stricken students.

 

(Xinhua News Agency July 9, 2007)