Released by the General Office of the State Education Ministry,the notification came after the school blast in southeast Jiangxi Province, which killed 42 and wounded 27.

The tragedy blamed as a crime has "brought about heavy losses and bad social influence," said the document. The blast showed that the security at the primary school was "loose."

School heads and teachers were urged to bear security as a priority in their minds and to establish a responsibility system for a safe campus. The notification said that any one who is on duty when there is an accident caused by neglect would be heavily punished.

Local education departments and schools were asked to inspect campuses to root out hidden dangers. The schools can turn to local governments and the community for help.

"Regulated and socialized campus security work should be set up,"said the notification.

The General Office also provided the investigation result for the blast, which happened on March 6. It was found that Li Chuicai,a deranged suicide bomber, set off the explosion in a third-grade classroom in Fanglin Village of Yichun City's Wanzai County,destroying the school building and killing 42.

The local governments of Yichun City and Jiangxi Province are now repairing the school and the school will reopen soon.

(21DNN 03/13/2001)