The principal of a school established for the children of migrant workers disappeared - with the students' tuition money - on what was supposed to be the first day of the new school term, reports Shenzhen Special Zone Daily.

More than 200 students arrived at Longfeng School in Shenzhen's Longgang District on Monday morning only to find the gate closed.

A teacher surnamed Li said the principal, Tan, seemed to be his usual self when he presided over a "school opening" meeting on Sunday.

Many parents had paid the 815-yuan (US$98) tuition over the weekend, and Tan was believed to have taken all the money with him.

Longfeng was operating illegally and had been closed in July, according to a district education bureau spokesperson.

Notice of its closure was broadcast on local television stations during evening news programmes for one week from August 22. But many migrant workers may have missed it.

The students have been temporarily sent to neighbouring schools. School property will be sold to raise a compensation fund. Police have listed Tan as a fraud suspect.

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