School coupons a good idea
Education coupons can not only stimulate domestic consumption but also prepare an eligible workforce for the future development of China, says an article in the Shanghai Morning Post. The following is an excerpt:
When it comes to the expansion of domestic consumption, we must first of all check whether consumption really exists and what it is. Education is one form and education coupons are always a worthy option.
In remote rural areas, it is hard to implement compulsory education. Without enough education, these people can't meet the challenge essential to China's economic growth.
The government should adopt some preferential policies toward these disadvantaged groups and issue them education coupons.
For example, each child could receive 5,000 yuan worth of entitlements and their parents could only use the coupons to send their kids to school.
Education coupons are better than investment by governments in building schools. Some reports claim that the money set aside to build schoolhouses has often been embezzled by corrupt officials. Parents who have the coupons in hand can decide which school they would send their children to, public or private.
(China Daily 02/17/2009 page8)