The State Council has approved a guideline on a free education program for students in normal universities affiliated with the Ministry of Education, according to a notice on Aug 10.

In the program, undergraduate students majoring in normal specialties would enjoy free tuition and accommodation as well as subsidies on daily expenses. The subsidies would be covered by the central government’s budget.

The program involves six universities: Beijing Normal University; East China Normal University in Shanghai; Northeast Normal University in Changchun, Jilin province; Central China Normal University in Wuhan, Hubei province; Shaanxi Normal University in Xi’an, Shaanxi province; and Southwest Normal University in Chongqing.

Students in the program should sign a contract with the universities and education authorities of the provincial region where they come from. After graduation, they should serve as teachers in middle or primary schools for at least six years.

The normal universities can make plans so that students can enter or leave the program during college study. However, students who withdraw from the program within one year should return all expenses.

According to the contract, a student who serves as a teacher for a semester may apply for a master’s degree in education.