School children in this capital of south China's Guangdong Province have been told not to risk their lives to help others when an accident occurs, said a Guangdong education bureau official.

"Under the Protection Law of Minors, children's safety is given priority when accidents happen. As a result, they should know how to protect themselves," said the official, who declined to be named.

A regulation banning schools from involving students in dangerous activities was drafted in Ningbo of east China's Zhejiang Province at the end of last year, and it was brought into effect early this year.

The regulation, which aims to make children more aware of how to protect themselves, has drawn attention nationwide. For decades in China, children, especially school students, have been encouraged to fight street crime or save others in emergencies, even when they have to act single-handedly or are at high risk.

Guangzhou has not incorporated such a regulation into school laws but is now supporting it through its education departments.

"To date, there are no stipulations like those in Ningbo in primary and middle schools in Guangzhou," said He Yong, deputy director of Guangzhou Zhixin Middle School.

According to He, a safety class is held at the beginning of every term in his middle school.

He added that the class taught students not to act bravely for a just cause when their lives are in danger.

But some experts worry the stipulation will erode in students the traditional ethic of helping others in need.

"To tell students to protect themselves does not mean they should not help others or stand aside when others are in need," said Ma Xin, a teacher from Guangzhou's Tianxu Middle School.

"In my opinion, the regulation issued in Ningbo lets students know how important an individual life is, so they will cherish their own lives and make their utmost contribution to society," said Ma.

School students are encouraged to ask for help from policemen or adults if a dangerous accident happens nearby, added Ma. Ma supports the regulation, saying it does not contradict traditional ethics.

"The regulation teaches students how to cope with accidents in other ways. As a teacher, we still need to tell students what is right or not on the basis of Chinese traditional ethics," added Ma.

Parents also agree with the stipulation.

"The regulation in Ningbo is one of the ways to protect children. Family, school and society should ensure children's safety," said a Guangzhou resident surnamed Zheng, who has a 7-year-old daughter.

Students are also taking note of the regulation, but oppose it being written into school laws.

"Helping others is one of the traditional ethics. As a result, there is no need to turn the regulation into school law," said Chen Zhang, a 15-year-old student at Tianxu Middle School.

"We will keep Chinese ethics in mind and help others once we are able to deal with accidents," said Liao Zhiwen, 15, a girl from Tianxu School.

(China Daily February 11, 2004)