Pupils from 49 primary schools in poverty-hit areas are expected to move to new dormitories later this year thanks to a charity project launched by the China Foundation for Poverty Alleviation.

After polling 168 primary schools in the country's poorest areas, the foundation found out that more than 55 percent of schools are in dire need of dormitories.

The soaring demand for boarding schools in rural China is due to the accelerated urbanization and decreasing numbers of school-aged students in areas. Educational authorities have recently shut down many schools in villages, and students have to travel long distances to attend schools in nearby towns.

The foundation has raised more than 23 million yuan ($3.6 million) in 2011 to build new dormitories for schools in six regions including Yunnan province and the Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, said Wang Jun, the assistant to the secretary general of the foundation, at the launching ceremony in Beijing on May 31.

The foundation said that students will be able to move to the new dormitories before winter.

"We estimate that more than 16,000 primary schools in poverty-hit rural areas need dormitories for their students, so we encourage more companies and individuals to donate for this project," Wang said.

Giant beverage maker Hangzhou Wahaha Group donated 10 million yuan to the foundation on May 31.