On The Beijing News today, the large picture shows the Chile miners who are safe after 69 days.
The main headline says that Migrant workers’ children can go to school in Beijing. Yesterday the Medium and Long-term National Educational Reform and Development Plan (2010-2020) was published, however this is the “trial edition” (征求意见稿). One of the issues discussed in the Plan is to “solve high school education for the offspring of migrant workers who are qualified.”
The Beijing News report says that apart from migrant workers’ children that have a “green card” or Beijing residence work permit (北京市工作居住证) who can apply for ordinary high schools and those who can apply to specified schools, other non-Beijing resident students can take part in middle school exams, but they have to find schools themselves.
The full text is available on the Beijing Municipal Commission of Education website (www.bjedu.gov.cn) from October 13 to October 20. The report states that “people from all walks” should email (guihua@bjedu.gov.cn) in with suggestions and opinions. Otherwise readers are advised to send in suggestions to 109 West Qianmen Street, Beijing, China 100031, “‘Outline Plan’ Office,” 100031.
Experts have expressed that vocational education will be the first to witness breakthroughs:
Beijing Normal University professor Chu Hongqi (褚宏启) said that the source for vocational education are limited by policies, and schools can’t invite migrant workers’ children, so they have to go to other places to look for them. In this case, vocational education might be the best cutting-in point for high school education for migrant workers’ children.
- The Beijing News (Chinese): Migrant workers’ children can attend Beijing high schools
- China Daily: China’s Cabinet approves education reform plan, Hu stresses importance of education
- The New York Times: China Cheers Rescue Halfway Around the World