Focus

Parents angered by arbitrary school policies, shady real estate agents

By Han Jing (China Daily)
Updated: 2010-07-15 10:24

Residential accommodation located close to the best primary schools has always been an attraction for parents. [XIAO LING / FOR CHINA DAILY]

July is the month when many primary schools in Beijing are deciding who gets a place or not.

The capital's catchment area policy has meant that residential accommodation located close to the best primary schools is seen as money in the bank for local real estate agents, Beijing News reported on Monday.

However, many agents are falsely playing up properties as having access to key establishments, the report revealed.

An elderly woman, surnamed Zhai, who has lived in Lize Western Garden for years, said she is worried about where her grandson will study.

Eight years ago, residents of the community could enroll their children in a branch of Tiantai Primary School, a highly reputable institution. But since 2007, they are no longer accepted and must go to Xinyuan Primary School instead.

"I only bought a flat there so my grandson could study in Tiantai Primary School," Zhai said, "But now, everything has changed."

An official from the board of education in Chongwen district said school zone perimeters are always changing and parents should be wary of real estate agent tricks.

The proximity policy is also not being applied in some areas of Beijing.

Posters dotted about Happy Home Community in Chongwen district clearly state that the children of its residents will not be admitted into Peixin Primary School, situated only 100 m from the compound's gates. Instead, they must journey to Xinjing Primary School, which is located several kilometers away.

A resident, surnamed Liu, said she was frustrated by this.

"My husband grew up here and studied in Peixin Primary School," she said.

"We only moved here so I could give my child a similar upbringing, but now it is impossible," she said.

A teacher at Peixin Primary School said students were admitted by Beijing's board of education and were not automatically entitled because of their location.

Education experts are now recommending parents to consult schools before making a housing purchase.

For China Daily