Chinanews, Beijing, January 4– Some 150 million students in rural areas in China will be able to enjoy free compulsory education from 2007.

 

That is to say, averagely an elementary school pupil can save up to 140 yuan every year, a junior high school student up to 180 yuan, and a boarder might even save 500 yuan.

 

This project first tested water in western China last spring, benefiting nearly 50 million students.

 

“We will not only cut down tuitions, but we will also regulate all other fees, to create a 'real' compulsory education for the farmers,”said Wang Ming, vice director of the Fundamental Department of the Research Center of Education and Development of the Ministry of Education.

 

The Ministry of Education will monitor the school fees to ban illicit charges. It is recommended that local governments should provide the needed textbooks and other necessities to the students.