Rural students in China's west to enjoy free education in 2006

Rural students in China's relatively backward western region will enjoy free compulsory education from 2006, according to a government decision.

The treatment will be granted to rural students in the middle and eastern regions in 2007, according to the decision reached Friday at an executive meeting of the State Council, chaired by Premier Wen Jiabao.

In addition, students from poor rural families will be granted free textbooks. Boarding students will receive subsidies to support their daily lives, according to the decision on beefing up the guarantee system for rural compulsory education.

Source: Xinhua