58 mn Chinese children left in villages by migrant parents

One out of every six kids or some 58 million children in China left behind in villages by their migrant parents could become problem for the society, a senior lawmaker has warned.

And many of these children are not looked after properly, Li Jianguo, vice-chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, the top legislature, said.

About 58 million of the more than 300 million under-17 children are "left at home" by parents, forced to migrate to other places in search better jobs.

China has an army of about 150 million migrant workers.

Citing the latest findings of a survey by the All-China Women's Federation, Li suggested governments should build more kindergartens and boarding schools to provide such children proper care and education.

The figures came to light earlier this year while the NPC was reviewing the implementation of the Law on the Protection of Minors in the country, he said.

"Many such children face problems in their lives, studies or with their mental and physical health because of their parents' absence," Li was quoted as saying by China Daily.

Statistics show only 41 per cent of the country's 3-to-5-year-olds were attending kindergartens in 2005, and the percentage was even lower in the countryside.

"The lack of pre-school education is bound to affect their development," Li said.

The other major problem legislators found is the widespread popularity of online games among children.

Li said about 10 per cent of the country's 40 million adolescent Internet users are net addicts, signalling a unhealthy sign.