The National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) yesterday publicized a blacklist of eight schools -- accused of charging excessive tuition fees totaling some 22.7 million yuan (US$2.8 million).

 

The eight schools are: Xi'an Academy of Fine Arts, South China University of Technology, Nanjing Audit University, Henan Normal University, Nanchang No.1 Middle School of Jiangxi Province, Shenyang No.2 Middle School of Liaoning Province, Taiyuan No.5 Middle School of Shanxi Province, and Fenghua Middle School of Zhejiang Province. They were exposed in the third round of nationwide inspections on educational charges conducted by the commission in a move to standardize the country's education costs.

 

"The eight schools have seriously violated the state policy on educational charges and we are handling the problem," said an NDRC official.

 

The official added that any schools charging unfair fees would be exposed and punished. The public is welcome to report any problems to educational departments and price administrators.

 

Despite more studying opportunities they have created for the country's youth, China's educational reforms have also brought students higher tuition fees, which are heavy financial burdens on their families. Standardizing tuition fees is one of the measures China is taking to ease the expense of education.

 

(Xinhua News Agency February 20, 2006)