With a larger number of rural people migrating to big cities for work, the education of their school-age children is becoming a concern. The government has set up a number of special schools for the children and now private schools are also playing a role. In Shanghai, three private schools have joined hands with the local government to set up special classes for migrant workers' children.

The relatively low tuition fees at the three private schools have attracted many rural workers looking for schools for their kids. At 300 yuan per term, the schools have nearly halved the cost of other schools open to the children of migrant workers.

"I had originally thought that I would let my younger child continue his studies and persuade my elder child to quit school this year. But when I found the tuition was affordable here, I changed my mind and let them both continue their studies."

According to the Shanghai Education Committee, about 320,000 school-age children have come to Shanghai with their parents. The majority of the children are studying in special schools for the children of migrant workers, and there are also some attending public schools with local students. The different textbooks and education background have put a lot of pressure on the new students.

"The arrangement of the courses is different, and I find it a little difficult to keep up with my classmates."

To cater more to the needs of migrant children, the private schools have set up special classes for them, and they've also changed the arrangement of the courses, as many of the students will have to go back to their hometown to attend the national entrance exam, which is quite different from that of Shanghai.

While the special classes are gaining popularity among rural migrant workers, the private schools also have their own concerns, as Leng Suojin, headmaster of Xingzhi Private School puts it.

"Our school's education resources can be put into full use by setting up special classes for the migrant children."

Located in Pudong area, the three private schools are also troubled by a deceasing number of school-age children. And many of the classrooms and expensive teaching facilities are not being used due to the low enrollment.

The special classes have won support from the local government, who provide a certain amount of funding. Yin Houqing, director of the Pudong district Social Development Bureau, believes the practice is benefiting both sides.

"The government is showing its responsibility, and private schools have made use of their unused teaching resources, and the rural migrant children now have a wider choice of schools."

Since the special classes opened this September, the Xingzhi private school alone has enrolled about 350 students in seven classes.

(CRI December 28, 2004)