Wang Yuanyuan

SHENZHEN'S education authority will withdraw a preferential policy benefiting children of senior executives in the finance sector before this year's senior high school entrance examinations, a news conference was told Friday.

The preferential policy, which has been in place since 2004, gives children of executives in the finance sector or officials government financial institutions an extra 10 marks in the senior high school entrance exams. The policy was introduced according to related city government regulations to boost the financial sector.

The policy was revoked after the Ministry of Education criticized the policy, saying it was unfair and "a violation of State policy of allowing equal opportunity for every one to receive quality education."

Li Changgong, spokesman of the Shenzhen Municipal Education Bureau, told the news conference the removal of the policy was to achieve fair competition in senior high school entrance exams.

"From 2004 to 2007, 23 students have benefited from the policy,"Li said without elaborating.

The finance industry is one of Shenzhen's four pillar industries, but it has been short of senior finance management talent.