Crackdown on sex offenders working at schools

School authorities have been asked to cross-reference potential employees with a database of sexual offenders when hiring campus staff, according to a guideline released on Friday.

Former wrongdoers will be barred from all education jobs in an attempt to prevent sexual offenses against children and bolster overall protection of minors, said the guideline jointly released by the Supreme People's Procuratorate, the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Public Security.

The regulation also applies to certification authorities that issue certificates to teachers.

Those already holding jobs on campus — including teachers, school administrators and security staff members — are also obliged to undergo the checking procedure. Former offenders will be fired and have their teaching qualifications rescinded, the regulation said.

The guideline warned of penalties if school authorities failed to execute the order, and said officials will be held accountable.

It said the results of the checks will be kept confidential within the education system, and cannot be used for other purposes.