From the Chinese Press

Rethink school closure plan

The school bus accidents in Gansu and Jiangsu provinces have once again highlighted the social problem created by closures and mergers of rural schools. According to official data, from 1997 to 2009 the number of schools in China dropped to 278,836, that is, by almost half. The authorities should take note of the social problem, for it could mar family ties and result in loss of local identity, says an article in Xi'an Evening News. Excerpts:

Rapid urbanization and falling numbers of students in rural areas have forced the authorities to shut down many rural schools or merge them with those in towns. To some extent, this is good for proper allocation of education resources and narrowing the gap between the quality of education in urban and rural areas.