'Compulsory school trips to Expo' rumor groundless
- Source: Global Times
- [09:38 May 19 2010]
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A group of primary school students duck out of the rain to enjoy lunch during their visit to the Expo Park. Photo: IC
By Ye Jun
Local education authorities have denied accusations that schools are asking students to use money from their own pockets to pay for two compulsory visits to the World Expo 2010 in Shanghai.
Public debate was ignited by a post on a popular Chinese social networking site Monday, claiming that municipal authorities had issued an urgent notice demanding that all primary and secondary school students visit the Expo at least twice, once in autumn during school hours and once as an extracurricular event, with parents paying for all expenses.
Education authorities Tuesday dismissed the rumor as groundless. A director at the publicity office of the Municipal Education Commission surnamed Wang told the Global Times that they had only issued a notice on their official website in January, and that it merely encouraged schools to actively participate in the Expo.
However, Mo Fuchun, deputy director of the commission, said in a radio interview in March that local schools will arrange for grade three and above students to visit the Expo Park following a poll of 10,000 students that demonstrated overwhelming interest in the Expo.
A mother of a ten year old, surnamed Feng, told the Global Times that she would be willing to foot the bill if her child had to visit the Expo Park with her school. "It's a rare chance for kids to have a taste of top-notch technologies and different cultures," she added.
According to Tuesday's Youth Daily, district-level education bureaus in the city are allowed to make their own arrangements, with schools authorized to arrange group visits or give free Expo tickets to schools using public funds.
Liu Su, party secretary at a primary school in Changning district, told the Global Times Tuesday that the school is planning to arrange a visit for its students during the summer vacation or in September. The trip will be free of charge for students, although details have yet to be fixed, Liu said.
Meanwhile, many international schools in the city contacted by the Global Times Tuesday, who are also under the supervision of the Municipal Education Commission, seemed less keen on Expo visits.
Irene Luan, who works in the administration office of Rainbow Bridge International School in Changning district, told the Global Times Tuesday that they have not received any notice regarding compulsory visits from the commission.
"We haven't made any plans to visit the Expo Park, and are unlikely to do so," said Luan, citing safety concerns.
