BEIJING  -- "Only 15 days left!" Ma Xiaogang, a middle-school student in northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, yelled as he counted down the days to the Beijing Olympic Games.

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Several months ago, the teenager assumed he would just watch the long-dreamed Games on television at his home, a small village in the arid region.

"Thanks to an education program, I got three tickets for volleyball, baseball and athletics," said the excited 16-year-old.

Following the practice of previous Olympics, China has set aside about 1 million Olympic tickets, priced at 5 yuan (73 US cents) and 10 yuan, for primary and secondary school students nationwide. The tickets are stamped "Olympic education program tickets."

"Tickets will be distributed to students through provincial education departments to ensure students from all over China will have the opportunity to join the Beijing Games," said Gao Hong, vice director with the Basic Education Department of the Education Ministry

The tickets will be given out mainly in 556 schools nationwide, he said.

Because of the high ticket price, many people, especially students,  couldn't watch the Games live.

"It's already difficult for my parents to support my studies. How dare I expect to watch the Olympic Games in Beijing," Ma said.

When hearing the news his school would choose five students to see the Games live in the capital, Ma applied and won.

"I will cherish the experience and share it with my classmates after I go back," said Ma, who was busy learning more about the Olympic Games.