Translated from China Business News

The news that primary school students in Macheng, Hubei province, had to take desks and chairs with them to school invited widespread criticism of the local government.

Even if the government has already bought new desks and chairs for the kids, we have reasons to question whether this is an isolated case of some local authorities’ long-time ignorance of the importance of education.

The nine-year compulsory-education system has been in place since 1986. The Macheng government had the ability to equip the primary school with new desks and chairs. But it did not do so until the media exposed the sad story.

Education is just one field of public welfare that demands bigger input.

Providing public services and improving their quality are government’s obligations. China has replaced Japan as the second-largest economy in the world. The authorities should divert more energy to sharing the development benefits among citizens, especially the impoverished population.

China’s public-service levels and welfare are too low in some places. The historical debts of medical care and social security should also be paid first. These are the most direct ways for citizens to enjoy the fruits of China’s development. It is an effective way to boost domestic demand and consumption as well.

Otherwise, the unfairness in national-revenue distribution will cause instability that threatens sustainable development.