Liu Bin, a member of the National People's Congress (NPC), said the 17-year-old Law on Compulsory Education should be early revised to further open the nation's schools to children from poor families.

Chinese children currently enjoy a nine-year compulsory education, which means that their education at elementary and junior high school levels is free from tuition fees. However, they have to pay for textbooks and the upkeep of their schools.

Liu said the principle that governments at all levels share the investment in basic education should be incorporated into the Law on Compulsory Education, which took effect in 1986.

"The nation should keep its momentum of increasing financial support for the nine-year compulsory education," Liu said.

Liu said he hopes the revision of the law will be on the legislative agenda of the 10th NPC, which starts its five-year tenure at its annual meeting this week.

(Xinhua News Agency March 3, 2003)