Teachers play a game with students at an elementary school in Nanning, Guangxi province. [Photo/Xinhua]
BEIJING — China has introduced a regular check and reporting mechanism for dropouts in counties across the country, working hard to ensure enrollment in compulsory education.
According to a circular issued by the Ministry of Education, district-level education authorities have been tasked with carrying out a thorough survey to ascertain the number of dropouts in their jurisdictions.
The document emphasizes the need to prevent students from “attending school in name only”. This is because students may be disengaged from school education and school management and may be exposed to harm or involvement in illegal activities.
Particular focus is placed on vulnerable student groups such as orphans, children left behind in rural areas, children living with migrant worker parents in urban areas, and adolescents facing criminal charges. As highlighted in the circular, monitoring efforts should prioritize these groups.
Schools across the country have been directed to promptly identify students who miss classes and maintain close communication with their families to effectively combat dropout rates.
Additionally, the circular calls on local education authorities to step up efforts to persuade and encourage dropouts to return to school as soon as possible.
