China is reforming its fee system for compulsory education: from
this autumn, the basic tuition fee will be eliminated, says the
Chinese Ministry of Education. Students will be required to pay
only "study surcharges," the amount of which is currently being
decided, according to an official from the Beijing Municipal
Education Commission.
At present, tuition waivers are only available in rural primary
and junior secondary schools located in areas designated by the
national poverty relief programs. That measure regulated schools'
fee assessment systems and prevented overcharging. Since it was put
into effect in 2003, disadvantaged students have saved 1.7 billion
yuan (US$205 million) in education fees.
The Ministry of Education decided to exempt all compulsory
education from the basic tuition fee starting this autumn. Minister
of Education Zhou Ji said when making the announcement that four
key points need to be underlined.
Compulsory education is the responsibility of all levels of
government, he said. Schools can help the government collect
textbook fees.
The amount of study surcharges will be determined by provincial
governments according to the local situation. Amounts in urban and
rural areas may differ, according to the minister, but the amount
must be determined in accordance with the Price Law and may be
approved only after hearings.
All the charges need to be published and collected at once, at
the beginning of each term. Schools, education departments or local
governments may not levy additional charges at a later date.
Education departments may not require students to buy study
guidance material.
Breakdowns of fees charged must be made public, and collection
should be under public supervision, Zhou said.
The Ministry of Education is also taking steps to improve the
financial aid system for underprivileged students. For designated
students, the ministry plans to waive all charges, including
tuition, textbook fees and surcharges. It also plans to provide
living allowances to these children.
(China.org.cn by Feng Yikun, March 14, 2004)