A desire to learn new things in the cities and the futility of studying explain the trends. Many graduates in fact remain unemployed or work below their level. The situation is raising fears of crime.

Beijing (AsiaNews/Agencies) - At least 20 million youngsters in rural China have quit school to follow in the footsteps of their migrant worker parents and moved to the cities in search for work, this according to a study by Prof Liu Chengbin, a sociologists at Huazhong University of Science and Technology (Wuhan, Hubei).

Nearly 1,000 young villagers in 66 villages across six provinces were polled. Findings indicate that about one in ten dropped out of school, many to work in cities so they could "broaden their horizons and enjoy new experiences," Prof Liu said.

"From their [the parents] point of view," he added, "continuing the pursuit of college education for their children not only costs a fortune, but also does not guarantee securing a job".

Indeed, Chinese newspapers often cite stories of graduates who remain unemployed or are working as cleaners.

For Liu, a major concern is that many of those who drop out of school could turn to crime.

• china
• school
• dropouts
• rural
• areas
• crime