Probe into school computer charges thwarted, claims price bureau chief
A price control inspector in the Anhui city of Fuyang has resigned amid official pressure over his attempts to investigate excessive fees charged by local schools for computer facilities.
Former Fuyang Price Bureau chief Zhang Hongjun said his investigation into the claims of fee-gouging 'encountered all kinds of limits'. In his letter, Mr Zhang wrote: 'Exercising my personal ability was not supported.'
Mr Zhang launched the investigation a year ago after complaints that some schools were continuing to charge fees to buy computer equipment long after the equipment had been paid for.
Three years ago, Anhui education authorities ordered that computer classrooms be set up in secondary and primary schools and connected to the internet, but finance problems meant some could not afford the equipment.
The department then struck a buy-now, pay-later deal with suppliers, allowing schools to gradually pay off the costs of installation by collecting fees from students.