Primary and middle school authorities will not have the right to unilaterally expel a student from school before hearings take place on any alleged violation of rules as of September 1, the day for enrollment of the summer semester in East China's Zhejiang Province.

This is the first ruling of its kind in China.

Currently, students who seriously violate school disciplinary regulations face such punishments as remaining at school under close examination, suspensions or expulsions.

"With the abolition of serious punishments on students, every child's opportunity for education at school will be further respected and protected,," said Wang Zhenbin, vice-director of the Fundamental Education Division of the Education Department of Zhejiang Province.

According to the new policy, in cases involving those students who severely disobey school regulations and have refused to mend their ways despite repeated disciplinary measures, a school may give them the disciplinary warnings, severe warning or even a demerit according to the seriousness of the infractions.

Wang pointed out that expelled students who have nothing to do with their time are subject to increased danger of getting into delinquent behaviour.

"This is the obligation for schools to educate students rather than to push them into society too early," Wang noted.

The policy also provides that for students who fall under the criminal compulsory measures such as getting arrested and being taken into custody, schools have no right to expel these students.

Further, for those who are sentenced to non-prison punishment like exemptions from punishment, probation and parole, it is the school's responsibility to let them continue their studies.

"We aim to create an educational atmosphere in which a positive spirit and more humane disciplinary system prevails," Wang said.

Moreover, under the new regulations, students in the compulsory stage who failed in term examinations can take make-up examination more than once and can repeat the year's work, which is not allowed currently.

The restrictions on transferring from a rural school to an urban one, and a common school to a key school have also been lifted.

The proposed regulations are now being circulated among related government sectors as well as experts and parents for comment, Wang said.

Wang added that the new regulations on education for the children of migrant families will be released in June in Zhejiang Province to ensure the educational provisions for these students.

Official statistics indicate that there are now more than 6 million middle and primary school students in Zhejiang.

The 15-year-long fundamental education system will become universal province-wide in the latter half of 2004, which will be the first time for preschool and senior middle school education to be established in the province's general education system, according to Wang.

(China Daily)