Keep kids from harm

The scandal of two private kindergartens in Xi'an, which administered antiviral drugs to the children in their care without the parents knowing, is just the latest in a string of cases that have tainted the country's education system, says a Xinhua commentary.

Five suspects arrested by the police on charges of medical malpractice, including the principal and doctor of one kindergarten and the vice-principal and doctor of the other, admitted administering antiviral drugs to the children to help prevent them from catching cold and build up their immunity to disease.

While the Shaanxi education and health departments issued an emergency order banning the unauthorized administration of prescription medicines, these two kindergartens are unlikely to be the only ones adopting such a dangerous practice, as many private kindergartens promise to refund tuition fees for days when a child does not attend due to illness.

More detailed regulations are needed for China's education system, as not only is the unauthorized prescribing of medicines to children not prohibited, other potential crimes, such as sexual abuse, are not covered.

The scandal has also raised doubts about the credibility and supervision of non-governmental organizations, as both kindergartens are affiliated with the China Soong Ching Ling Foundation, a well-known NGO named after the wife of Dr Sun Yat-sen. Although the NGO denies any economic contact or business cooperation with them, parents said they sent their children to the kindergartens because they trusted the foundation.

The parents pointed out that the illegal behavior of those in charge of the two kindergartens, which was not spotted by any government body over the past six years, reflected the wider and increasingly urgent problem of a lack of sufficient government supervision that is playing out in private education institutions.

Experts said some education institutions are over-commercialized at the moment, and children's safety, which should be the top priority, is playing second fiddle to the pursuit of profits.

The authorities urgently need to strengthen the regulations governing the education system and tighten supervision, and stiff penalties should be meted out for those who violate the laws.