XI'AN - Provincial government officials in Northwest China's Shaanxi province have ordered tighter security for schools across the province to prevent violent attacks against students.

In an urgent notice on Sunday the Shaanxi provincial government said that local police should strengthen patrols around schools and crack down on violent crimes, such as kidnapping, robbery, blackmail and assaults that target teachers and students.

"All schools should employ qualified and professional security guards. People with mental health illnesses should also be prohibited from teaching and contacting the students," the notice said.