China's Ministry of Education has warned schools and teachers not to take bribe and misuse public money ahead of the coming New Year and Spring Festival.

Teachers are banned from accepting money, securities and other costly gifts from students and their parents, said a circular issued by the ministry on Friday.

They must not ask for gifts from students or indicate bribery, the document said.

The ministry also forbade schools to spend public money on festival banquets, gifts, overseas tours or entertainment activities.

The ministry pledged that education authorities and auditing departments would tighten supervision on finance of schools.

Those violating the rules would be seriously punished, the document said.

(Xinhua News Agency December 18, 2010)