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)
