When it comes to the development of the primary education, some local governments are reluctant to make the best use of existing resources but focus more on building as many new schools as possible. It is because that the quantity, instead of quality, of schools is often used as a criterion in relevant performance appraisals by upper-level governments.

Input into education, no matter whether it is from taxpayers or donations, should be used on the basis of careful feasibility studies. It is also important that the whole process is open to public supervision. By no means should it be arbitrarily decided by a handful of officials.

Beijing Times

Follow-up Service Needed

On December 1, a policy of subsidizing farmers' purchases of household electric appliances was implemented in 14 of China's provinces on a pilot basis. The policy is expected to cover all rural residents from February 2009, which will last four years. The government has pledged to allocate the money needed to sustain the initiative.

Televisions, refrigerators, cellphones and washing machines are much affordable to farmers thanks to the policy. But what will happen after farmers have bought these appliances?

Will the government cut power prices? Excessively high power prices in some regions are already an obstacle to farmers' use of electric appliances.

Besides this, timely after-sales service is necessary, if, for example, television or cellphone signals are not smooth. The government should also take effective measures to encourage mobile communication and cable television service providers to lower their charges on farmers.

If these problems cannot be overcome, it is unlikely farmers will flock to buy even subsidized appliances.

Yanzhao Metropolis Daily

Financial Turbulence No Excuse

The government of east China's Zhejiang Province recently signed pledges with lower-level governments under its jurisdiction, demanding the latter help workers employed by local factories to receive full and timely pay before China's lunar New Year that falls on January 26, 2009, so as to prevent unrest resulting from payment default.

Many enterprises are faced with operational difficulties. As a result, some may deliberately default employees' payment, using the current global financial turmoil as an excuse.

Generally, workers' salaries only account for a small fraction of business costs. More importantly, many families' livelihoods depend heavily on these workers' income.

The Spring Festival is around the corner. Payment default often occurs during this period. Due to the economic slowdown, this year's situation may be worse than before. Therefore, it is critical that the government take precautious measures to ensure workers are paid in full for the sake of social stability and harmony.

Workers' Daily