China's education authority announced on August 5 that it is to assign each primary and secondary student with an exclusive ID number.

The Ministry of Education (MOE) ordered provincial education authorities to work with public security authorities to verify student IDs in their jurisdictions, giving priority to those about to graduate from primary, junior and senior high schools.

After rescinding duplicate or incorrect IDs, the MOE will collate data into a nationwide database.

According to the MOE, the database will help track students who migrate with their parents and those left at home by parents who travel for jobs, providing better care and services to such children.

The MOE said the database will also improve management of student aid programs, including nutrition enhancement and financial subsidies.

The database will also help education authorities to rein in school enrollment irregularities. In China, enrollment into good schools can give rise to corruption.