China gives 20.7 bln yuan to rural schools BEIJING, Dec. 11 (Xinhua) -- The central government has allocated 20.7 billion yuan (3.4 billion U.S. dollars) this year to disadvantaged schools in the countryside. The money will be used for equipment, books and reconstruction. Funds of this kind have totalled 65.7 billion yuan from 2010 to 2013, according to the Ministry of Finance on Wednesday. An executive meeting of the State Council, China's Cabinet, last Wednesday decided to improve basic schooling standards in compulsory education. In three to five years, school buildings must meet safety requirements, such as anti-earthquake and fire control standards, facilities should be able to meet the basic educational and living needs, and the quality of teachers should meet the basic needs of compulsory education. All Chinese children are entitled to nine years of free education, covering primary and junior high schools. Around China: China to improve school conditions in poor regions SHIJIAZHUANG, Dec. 10 (Xinhua) -- Zhang Shengli is optimistic about the future of the school he built in north China's Hebei Province after hearing a central government announcement on improving school conditions in China's poverty-stricken areas We will have a 1300-square-meter classroom building with computers in every classroom. And we will even have our own school bus," said Zhang, vice president of Dongtuanbao central primary school in Hebei's Laiyuan County, as he imagined the school's future.