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A Chinese legislator called for revision of the nation's Law on
Compulsory Education and urged governments at all levels to
increase financial support for the schooling of children from poor
families, China Daily reported Monday.
Liu Bin, a member of the National People's Congress (NPC), said the
17-year-old Law on Compulsory Education should be early revised to
further open the nation's schools to children from poor
families.
Chinese children currently enjoy a nine-year compulsory education,
which means that their education at elementary and junior high
school levels is free from tuition fees. However, they have to pay
for textbooks and the upkeep of their schools.
Liu said the principle that governments at all levels share the
investment in basic education should be incorporated into the Law
on Compulsory Education, which took effect in 1986.
"The nation should keep its momentum of increasing financial
support for the nine-year compulsory education," Liu said.
Liu said he hopes the revision of the law will be on the
legislative agenda of the 10th NPC, which starts its five-year
tenure at its annual meeting this week.
(Xinhua News Agency March 3, 2003)
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