Anna Zhao

    anna.whizh@yahoo.com

    CHILDREN of expatriates working in Nanshan District could be allowed to attend public schools in the district, the district government said Wednesday, citing a proposed policy.

    The new policy also would benefit children of Chinese parents who studied abroad and returned to China, and children who have permanent Hong Kong or Macao residency but whose parents are mainlanders, Nanshan’s education bureau said. The policy is an effort by the district’s government to enhance Nanshan’s appeal for international talents and professionals. Eligible parents must either have made investments or paid taxes in Nanshan, the policy states. Details and a timetable for implementation were unavailable.

    Chinese public schools are tuition-free under the country’s nine-year compulsory education program.

    Nanshan has seven international schools, Liu Gengping, the bureau’s chief, said. Many Shenzhen families whose children have Hong Kong or Macao residency cannot afford tuition at international schools, however.

    A Shenzhen Government policy on free compulsory education that was implemented in 2012 excluded foreign children and children with Hong Kong or Macao residency from attending Shenzhen’s public schools.

    More than 15,000 students from Shenzhen cross the border every weekday to attend Hong Kong schools.