The small city neighboring Qingdao in east China initiated an investigation in early 2008 to see if its poor residents were eligible for basic living allowances in the new fiscal year. During this process, a poor postgraduate student who qualified for the state aid became the focus of much opposition. As there are no current policies to deal with basic living allowances for higher education students, the city's civil affairs department submitted the proposal to the next level of government. It was subsequently decided that the subsidy would be allowed, based on the student's difficult family situation.

Currently the government subsidizes the low-income group in Zhucheng with 260 yuan ($37.96) per capita per month. It may be insignificant for average families, but for those in need, it is a godsend.

It is controversial to subsidize a postgraduate student as those with education are thought to be capable of supporting themselves. Those against the subsidy complained online that a part-time job is enough to feed the student in question.

As higher education is now more accessible to ordinary students because of expanded university enrollment, postgraduates are popular in the job market because of their impressive qualifications and competence levels, and they receive salaries that largely surpass that of students with bachelor's degrees.

The current allocation of this subsidy has altered the way things were in the past and popular opinion now says it is unfair and a poor use of public funds, prompting a call for tightened rules by the government department responsible.

Sympathetic supporters are concerned about the student's present living difficulties. In spite of being more educated, it is true that the student is so poor that he cannot afford daily expenses, and thus is eligible for the subsidy. Lawmakers have not yet said that people of higher education are exempt from relief funds, and the local government is authorized to provide basic living costs within the legal framework.

In China, basic living allowances are cash funds given to maintain essential living standards for the low-income group, which is preconditioned by residency, unemployment, disability or no fixed source of income.

Earn a living

Lu Hongxia (hlj.rednet.cn): There is no doubt that subsidies for each family member will help ease financial burdens, but it is rare for this to be given to a family with a child who has a postgraduate degree.

As adult students, most postgraduates share the responsibilities of family life, while some even support the entire family. If this did not happen, it would signal a failure of the education system, which breeds students who are adept at taking exams, but are incapable of making a life for themselves. I suggest this student help his family as soon as possible and stop hiding in school to dodge his responsibilities.