Education unfairness result of unbalanced development

The compulsory education for non-resident children in big cities is always a hot topic for debate at this time of year, because even as people call for greater fairness, the demand for school places in first- and second-tier cities is continually growing and, as a result, local education authorities apply ever stricter criteria for non-resident children's enrollment in their schools.

This year, Beijing's education authorities have reiterated that they will enable every "qualified" child to enjoy local compulsory education. By "qualified" they are referring to a minimum of "five certificates" that the non-resident families must have: a child's parents or guardians must have Beijing employment certificates, Beijing residency certificates, a household registration booklet, a Beijing temporary residence permit and a certificate from the place where the family is registered that there is no one who can care for the child there.

Some districts of Beijing, impose even more criteria. For instance, the education authorities in Miyun district stipulate that besides the "five certificates" non-resident children's parents must have paid social security premiums in Miyun district for more than one year, while the education authorities in Shijingshan district have said priority in school enrollment for qualified non-resident children will go to those families that have purchased property in the district.