The Ministry of Education has once again stated it forbids schools, including kindergartens, from charging extra fees.

The ministry should count how many times it has publicized a statement on this issue, even though this time it was joined by six other central government departments. More importantly, it should ponder why its words don't count.

Similar announcements have been heard in recent years. Last year the ministry even issued a timetable of measures aimed at bringing the situation under control in five years. But they have proved quite ineffectual.