Ministry: Root out campus commercials

China has urged local authorities to carry out a "thorough inspection" from kindergartens to high schools to root out commercials and business activities on campuses, according to a circular released by the Ministry of Education on Friday.

The move followed public outcry last month over commercials printed on the red scarves worn by third-graders in Danyanglu Primary School in Heze, Shandong province, which the circular said has led to "serious consequences".

The red scarves bearing commercials of a local real estate project were given to the students in a road safety promotion on the afternoon of Sept 25, and the school had said they did not notice an advertisement was printed on them.