Closures must follow correct procedures

Education authorities nationwide should be prudent and strictly abide by procedures in shutting down primary and junior high schools in rural areas, according to an executive meeting of the State Council chaired by Premier Wen Jiabao on Wednesday.

Local authorities should ensure the public's full participation in decision-making and supervision about whether a rural school should be closed, the meeting said.

If a local education department considers shutting down a school due to fewer school-aged students, it should seek opinions from teachers, students, parents, villagers and township-level governments, it said.