The annual national college entrance examination will be postponed in 40 quake-affected counties and districts in Sichuan Province, China's Ministry of Education (MOE) said Sunday.

The new date for the examination -- originally scheduled for June 7 to 9 -- is yet to be set.

The 40 counties are located in six cities and prefectures in Sichuan that are worst hit by the earthquake on May 12, including Chengdu, Deyang, Mianyang, Guangyuan, Ya'an cities, and Aba Prefecture.

The decision was made by Sichuan provincial government and approved by the MOE to "ensure safety of the students and safeguard their interests," according to the Ministry.

Students who are orphaned or handicapped in the earthquake will be exempted of tuition fees and receive living subsidies if they are admitted to colleges, the ministry said.

The ministry will also provide free vocational trainings for those who failed to be admitted.

(Xinhua News Agency May 19, 2008)