Why ompulsory education result in selling blood for children's education?Hong Qiaojun "I will support my children to go to school even if it means selling my blood." This was a promise from Li Jing of Huang Nao Bao village, Shang Yi County, Hebei province. But he failed to keep his promise. Last year, his elder son was admitted to college. But he had to let his second son to quit school before he finished his 7th grade. It was not because he didn't study well. Rather, he couldn't support him even after he sold his blood. He had to persuade his son to leave from school and go to a big city to work. (Xinhua News, June 21, 2005) Li Jing has a son in college and hence becomes the poorest resident in his village. All he has are: Three adobe rooms, a 12 inch black-white TV set, and nothing else to mention. The most expensive property is a cow. In fact, he is in debts of 20 thousand yuans and high interests loans. To graduate from college, his elder son has to spend three more years which costs 15000 yuan per year. This is a huge amount for a farmer. Li Jing constantly work out. His wife takes care of their farm. During a year of good weather, the couple can make 5000 yuan, even if they don't spend a penny. But this is only a third of their son's cost in college for a year. That means, they have to add 30000 more debts by the time their son graduates from college. -------------------------- |