South China's Guangdong
Province has launched a five-year grant program to send 20,000
poor rural kids to secondary technical school. Some 210 million
yuan (US$25.4 million) has been earmarked for an intellectual
poverty relief fund to aid students from families whose annual
income is under 1,500 yuan (US$181). So far, 10,000 of Guangdong's
impoverished students have begun their studies in 57 technical
schools under the program.
The junior and senior middle school graduates who apply for the
grants are examined and verified by several poverty relief
departments. Once approved, the fund provides 3,500 yuan (US$423)
annually for each student to cover tuition, lodging and
probationary fees during their studies.
Schools accepting students under the program must guarantee jobs
upon completing the program. If a student fails to secure
employment, the school must reimburse the provincial finance office
the full amount of the grant.
The province has taken substantial steps to ensure that the
funds are used properly and effectively. The provincial finance,
labor and social security, and poverty relief departments have
jointly issued the Management Rules for Guangdong Technical School
Intellectual Poverty Relief Fund. A system has been established to
track and check fund usage, while audits and evaluations will be
conducted annually.
Any unit or individual who obtains a portion of the fund through
fraud embezzlement or theft will face punishment, to be
administered by a criminal court if appropriate.
(China.org.cn by Wang Qian May 9, 2004)