This is a notice issued by Pinghe County in Fujian Province, which says people without the diploma can't get a marriage certificate, driving license or work certificate, Southeast Express reported today.

An official of Pinghe government, surnamed Ye, said the notice has only been revealed to the government and schools and hasn't taken effect yet.

However, some parents have been asked to pay 650 yuan (US$84) for their children who suspend studying in a local school to gain a diploma.

A student's mother surnamed Huang said her son went to work in Guangdong and discontinued studying this semester and she received notes from the school and phone calls from his teacher about 10 days ago.

"The teacher said my son can't get a marriage certificate or driving license without the diploma, so I paid 650 yuan," Huang said.

"I feel regretful now because the sum is more than my monthly salary," Huang said.

A teacher of No. 2 Pinghe School, Chen Ken, said they would arrange students to study in a vocational school to get a diploma after receiving the money, because more than half of the students quit studying.

Chen Yaodeng, education bureau chief of Pinghe County, said it's the bureau's policy that arranges suspended students to study in vocational schools.