A national public funded organization was established yesterday
in Beijing to assist China's large number of poorer students. It's
hoped that Chinese individuals and organizations along with others
from throughout the world will contribute to the cause.
Supported by the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Finance,
the China Education Development Foundation, with capital of 50
million yuan (US$6.2 million), will assist mainland students from
poorer families as well as those from Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan
who study at mainland schools.
Donations and technical assistance from domestic or overseas
governments, organizations and individuals are all welcome, said
the foundations' chairman Zhang Baoqing, the former vice minister
of education.
He said help from individuals and organizations in China and
worldwide would greatly assist in the government's efforts to help
poorer students.
"China now has about 40 million poor students," he said. "It's
not only the government's responsibility to help them but a
responsibility for us all."
He stressed the Foundation's work would be transparent and
publicly supervised. Students will be required to apply directly to
the Foundation for subsidies and the money would be given to them
without going through intermediates.
"It may help to prevent the possibility of corruption," Zhang
said. But he admitted that such a scheme could bring difficulties
when trying to verify the details of student applications because
China was such a big country and it would be impossible to visit
each the homes of all students applying for assistance.
Each primary school student will receive an annual subsidy of
600 yuan (US$74), middle school student will receive up to 1200
yuan (US$148) and those at university? will each have access
to 6,000 yuan (US$740).
The Foundation has so far received donations of more than 200
million yuan (US$24.7 million), most of which has come from
domestic organizations and enterprises.
The Foundation will also give support to poorer schools
encountering difficulties with educational reform and development.
Subsequently awards will be given to those who've made special
contributions to China's educational development.
(China Daily March 31, 2006)