Benefactor's school made into garage

Students play in the playground of the older Village school, built about half a century ago.

A school funded by Hong Kong philanthropist Sir Run Run Shaw was turned into a garage a fortnight after opening, Xinhua news agency reported yesterday.

And although last month local government officials in northwestern China's Shaanxi Province said the primary school must be given back to students, lessons have not resumed.

The school was built in late 2009 in Zhaocun Village in Weinan City, after Shaw and local government put up more than 1.9 million yuan (US$301,660).

Students, however, had use of the school for only two weeks after it opened in May 2010.

Zhaocun Village government officials claim the building contained safety hazards.

Officials rented the school to garage company Weida for 1.75 million yuan for 10 years and 80 students were moved back to dilapidated school buildings dating back to the 1960s.

The new school funded by Hong Kong philanthropist Sir Run Run Shaw was turned into a garage.

"The school was created in a renovated temple building and has many bomb shelters under it," villager Li Xiuxiu said.

"When it rained, the ground caved in and parents were concerned for their children."

Villagers said they complained repeatedly about the deal but only last month did Weinan authorities say the school was to return to educational use.

The village said this can only happen after a new village government is elected this year.

Weida said when it signed the contract it never knew that the building was a school.

Movie and TV producer Shaw, 104, has donated billions of yuan to educational and medical projects on China's mainland.

Source:Shanghai Daily

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