BEIJING — Students from China’s rural and poor areas will continue to enjoy favorable policies when they apply for major universities in 2019, according to a circular released by the Ministry of Education on April 9.

The poverty-stricken counties entitled to special enrollment plans will continue to enjoy such policies in 2019, even if they have already shaken off poverty, the circular said.

With disparities in teaching standards among different regions, high school graduates from underdeveloped areas are at a disadvantage in the competition for a spot in the country’s major universities.

However, Chinese education authorities have rolled out favorable policies for students from remote rural areas in recent years as the country eyes higher education’s role in poverty relief.

Local authorities and colleges are required to ascertain the qualifications of the applicants, and strict review is needed to standardize college admission, the circular said.

It also noted that irregularities in the process would be severely punished. Students who fabricate their personal information and provide fake application materials will be disqualified both in the special enrollment plans and the college entrance examination.

In addition, those who are found to do so will be suspended from sitting various national education-related examinations for one to three years, the circular said.