[photopress:students_beijing_university.jpg,full,alignright]Tuition fees to China’s universities, which range from RMB5,000 to RMB10,000 (US$1,200) a year, are about 25 times higher than they were in 1989. This according to the China Youth and Children Research Center (CYCRC). But annual incomes of urban residents have only risen by a factor of four since the 1980s. Which puts university fees in real terms as being six times higher than they were. Possibly a bit more.
An official with CYCRC said these increases have led to a sharp increase in the number of needy university students who can’t continue their education simply because they can’t afford it. He quoted a survey by the People’s Bank of China (PBOC) saying that family’s savings are mainly used to cover the cost of education.
The center’s report said educational institutions have turned into profit making institutions. Of course, the government could always rattle the tin and make up for the shortfall. Fang Yi, another CYCRC official, said ‘We are unable to find excuses for not properly funding education nowadays considering the rapid rise of China’s GDP and increased tax revenues.’ Seems reasonable.
Source: Xinhua
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