China tries to shift focus away from school collapses

By Ben Blanchard

BEIJING (Reuters) - Chinese officials on Monday sought to shift the focus away from the large number of schools which collapsed during the May 12 earthquake and towards the "heroic" teachers who risked everything to save their students.

But they did promise a nationwide inspection of schools, though only those built in earthquake zones, to test structural integrity, and repeated previous promises to punish those responsible for constructing shoddy buildings.

The toll from the massive quake in the southwestern province of Sichuan has risen to above 65,000 and officials have been quoted in Chinese newspapers saying at least 6,581 of the dead were children and teachers crushed in collapsed schools.

The 7.9 magnitude struck in the middle of the afternoon in the southwest province of Sichuan when most children were at their desks or taking a nap.

The central government has so far not given an official death toll for students, saying figures are still being complied. And anger is growing among parents who have accused authorities of cutting corners and failing to meet safety standards.

Education Ministry officials spent much of a news conference promoting a campaign to praise teachers who had saved students from the quake, and students who likewise acted heroically, trying to put a positive spin on tragic news.

"The Communist Party cell in the Education Ministry has decided to carry out a national study campaign on earthquake hero teachers and students," said ministry spokesman Wang Xuming.

"The ministry demands schools organize teachers and students to earnestly study the advanced deeds of the hero teachers and students," he said, adding their example would be good for "political education."