Opinion | Migrant student policy a lesson in disappointment
Government mulls opening city schools to migrant children, but changes may fall short
Migrant workers who have been fighting for their children's right to attend high school and sit university entrance exams in Shanghai, instead of being forced to return to their hometowns, are eagerly awaiting possible policy changes.
Migrant workers from Shanghai and Beijing have been at the forefront of lobbying for changes to allow their children these privileges, even if the workers know that they are marginalised and find it difficult to exert influence on government policies.
Since early last year, dozens of parents in Shanghai have been gathering regularly at subway stations or markets to campaign for their children's rights. Their cause has been supported by intellectuals, and they have also joined hands with migrant-worker parents in Beijing who are demanding similar changes.
In early June, they staged a number of protests coinciding with the annual university entrance exam.