Thousands of Kids in Limbo As Beijing Closes Schools
- 13 years ago
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A new school year is about to start in China. But in Beijing, thousands of kids may not have a school to go to. Many children of migrant workers have been going to private schools specifically run for them. But a recent push to stamp these out means these kids -- who already suffer disadvantages their peers from the city don't -- may be losing out on their education.
Their parents came to Beijing in search of a better future. But now, the future of the children of the city's migrant workers is uncertain. The flattened ground these boys are playing on used to be their school. It was demolished on Monday, three days before the new school year was set to start.
Since June, authorities in Beijing have shut down two dozen schools in three of the city's outlying districts. The New Hope Primary, in Haidian District's Dongsheng Village had 800 students. Now these students, along with around 14,000 other kids, have no school to attend.
The schools in the firing line mainly cater for children of migrant workers. Most don't have the necessary proof of residence to enroll in Beijing's subsidized public facilities.
Many of the schools have been there for years. But since 2009, Beijing authorities have been shutting them down. They say the schools either lack proper registration, proper facilities or do not meet safety standards.
Beijing lawyer Xu Zhiyong says, however, some schools should remain open.
[Xu Zhiyong, Beijing Lawyer]:
"Actually some schools are approved and are legal. But some changed locations, or due to other reasons they failed the annual inspection, which affected their legality. In fact these schools can continue to run. I went to one school, there were no safety issues and they had a sports field, and is up to standard."
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A new school year is about to start in China. But in Beijing, thousands of kids may not have a school to go to. Many children of migrant workers have been going to private schools specifically run for them. But a recent push to stamp these out means these kids -- who already suffer disadvantages their peers from the city don't -- may be losing out on their education.
Their parents came to Beijing in search of a better future. But now, the future of the children of the city's migrant workers is uncertain. The flattened ground these boys are playing on used to be their school. It was demolished on Monday, three days before the new school year was set to start.
Since June, authorities in Beijing have shut down two dozen schools in three of the city's outlying districts. The New Hope Primary, in Haidian District's Dongsheng Village had 800 students. Now these students, along with around 14,000 other kids, have no school to attend.
The schools in the firing line mainly cater for children of migrant workers. Most don't have the necessary proof of residence to enroll in Beijing's subsidized public facilities.
Many of the schools have been there for years. But since 2009, Beijing authorities have been shutting them down. They say the schools either lack proper registration, proper facilities or do not meet safety standards.
Beijing lawyer Xu Zhiyong says, however, some schools should remain open.
[Xu Zhiyong, Beijing Lawyer]:
"Actually some schools are approved and are legal. But some changed locations, or due to other reasons they failed the annual inspection, which affected their legality. In fact these schools can continue to run. I went to one school, there were no safety issues and they had a sports field, and is up to standard."