On Tuesday, the education and finance ministries said that the
free textbook scheme, funded by central government since 2001, will
continue to provide assistance to increased numbers of
students.
From the start of term after the Spring Festival, all primary
and middle school students from poor families in 592 selected
counties will receive free textbooks, boarding subsidies and
exemption from additional fees.
The total number of students in the listed counties who will now
benefit from the scheme is 16 million.
From 2005 to 2007, the government is allocating a budget of
about 22.7 billion yuan (US$2.7 billion) for education subsidies to
poorer students. This comes to about 200 yuan (US$24) for each
primary and 340 yuan (US$41) for each junior middle school student
per year.
According to the government's schedule, the new policy should be
fully implemented in all 592 counties by 2007, when education
subsidies to each primary and middle school student will reach 400
and 540 yuan (US$48 and US$65) respectively.
Vice Minister of Education Zhang Baoqing underscored that all
relevant departments should set up accurate databases to ensure
every eligible student is reached.
A Ministry of Finance source said that the free textbook system
covers 32 percent of students from impoverished families in central
and western regions.
This new effort came out in the spirit of the Circular
No.1 that was issued by the government on Sunday, the focus of
which was economic development of China's vast rural areas.
(Xinhua News Agency February 2, 2005)