MOE issues regulations for the protection of minors in schools

On June 1, the Ministry of Education (MOE) held a press conference on the newly issued Regulations on the Protection of Minors at Schools. This is the first set of MOE-stipulated regulations specially developed for the protection of minors. The Regulations laid down an overarching blueprint for the protection of children, assigning clear roles and responsibilities to educational institutions, and specifying a series of special-purpose schemes, administrative requirements, work mechanisms and measures for support and supervision.

The Regulations place special focus on several issues that have drawn widespread public attention and risk seriously violating students’ rights, such as bullying and sexual assault in schools. Specifically, the Regulations defined a set of detailed rules and procedures for the prevention, identification, intervention, investigation and punishment of bullying at schools. A mechanism was also set up for the prevention, reporting and addressing of sexual abuse and harassment.

The Regulations will come into effect on September 1, 2021. The MOE will join hands with other relevant competent authorities to launch pilot programs at selected schools, organize training workshops, and provide comprehensive, targeted and practical guidance.

Attendees to the press conference included Deng Chuanhuai, director-general of MOE’s Department of Policies and Regulations, Wang Daquan, deputy director-general of MOE’s Department of Policies and Regulations, Zhu Dongbin, deputy director-general of MOE’s Department of Basic Education, Liu Xiaohui, principal of the High School Affiliated to Renmin University of China, and Tong Lihua, head of Center of Youth Legal Aid and Research in Beijing. Chen Xing, director of the News Division of MOE’s General Office, served as the moderator.