A survey by China's National Bureau of Statistics has showed that 70 percent of parents find it difficult to bear high education fees for their children. Costs invariably include lodging fees, living expenses, school fees as well as paying for extra classes after school.

The survey, in which 1,220 families from northeast China's Heilongjiang Province took part, covered parents from all walks of life. On average the education level of 85 percent of respondents was above junior middle school level.

The data revealed that 70 percent of those taking part in the survey thought that the cost of education for children is too high. 63 percent of respondents spend over 600 yuan (US$88) every month on their child's education, which accounts for a large proportion of their income - up to one quarter in some cases.

Some educational professionals told Xinhuanet that the Chinese government should increase expenditure on public education and offer help to families to save for their children's education over the long-term as well as curbing arbitrary educational charges. They also suggested the government should invest more on low-income families to help those families' children go to school.

(CRIENGLISH.com November 9, 2009)