Affirmative college enrollment to benefit 60,000 from poor regions

Chinese universities are required to enroll about 60,000 candidates from poverty-stricken areas, according to an circular published on Thursday.

According to the circular issued by Ministry of Education (MOE) and National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), the arrangement is designed to promote equal access to higher education between urban and rural areas.

The circular did not specify how the 60,000 candidates would be selected.

Chinese students get into college through a highly competitive entrance exam, "Gaokao," and students from better resourced families do better in the exam.

In another MOE circular, teachers in junior high schools are prohibited from meddling students' application for senior high school. Some schools or regions prevent their elite students from applying for schools in other school groups or regions.