by Chen Weijun

A story published in the Changjiang Times sheds some light on the world's second largest economy. Despite a government budget of US$ 1.3 trillion, children have to carry their own desks and chairs to school.

Beijing (AsiaNews) - As the second largest economy in the world, China's government budget in 2011 stood at US$ 1.3 trillion dollars (International Monetary Fund data). And yet, Chinese authorities are unable to provide school kids in Hubei desks and chairs for the start of the school year. The picture of a girl forced to bring her desk from home went viral across the country, inducing some private citizens to open their wallets to help the school buy the necessary equipment.

Reported by the Changjiang Times, the story said that more than 3,000 primary school students had to carry their own desks and chairs to the school due to a shortage of supplies. Quickly, the article caught the attention of the public and triggered online discussion.

After the article was published, a teacher said he was used to the lack of equipment. Now each new set of desk and chair costs about US$ 39, paid for by private donations.

The authorities reacted quickly. Education officials in Macheng were asked to dig into their own pockets to solve the problem. As of Tuesday, enough money had been pledged by officials to buy 100 sets of desks and chairs.

Education in China is run by the state. Since Mao's time, the Education Ministry has been charged with literacy campaigns. On paper, compulsory education lasts nine years. Starting at the age of six, children go to primary school until they are nine. High school lasts six years, from 12 to 18.

However, in the country many students leave school early because their parents prefer to send them to work in the fields or in cities.

Under Chinese law, a residence permit is required to go to school or have access to health case, and this only within one's place of residence.

With a floating population of 300 million seeking wealth and fortune beyond their native towns and village, many children lose their right to an education or health care.

The government spends about US$ 100 billion in education; that is less than what it officially spends on defence (US$ 106 billion). US intelligence sources believe however the mainland spends as much as five times that amount.  In the energy field, China invests US$ 2 trillion a year

In the education budget, only 15 per cent is spent on compulsory primary and secondary school. This follows a decision in 2003 to redirect education funds to post-secondary education in order to boost the country's economic competitiveness.

Now China supports 1,552 institutions of higher learning (colleges and universities) and their 725,000 professors and 11 million students.

Entry to the top 100 national key universities is regulated by tough admission standards. Only those who enjoyed quality primary and secondary education can get in.

At the end of the 1980s, the authorities allowed private schools to open as a consequence.

 

• china
• education
• desks
• chairs