Evacuees from the lower regions of the barrier lake formed in last month's earthquake can now return home and start rebuilding their lives, following the successful efforts to drain the lake. Among the many tasks ahead for the residents, resuming education is an urgent priority.

A Beijing News editorial comments that the temporary tent schools and other shelters are not a long-term solution. The effort to rebuild schools may take several years of procedures, environmental assessment, location selection and planning.

Therefore, the editorial urges for regions from across China to reach out by admitting students from the earthquake area.

Regions not affected by the earthquake could each year set aside a portion of their enrollment quota for the students from the earthquake-area, and the local residents should do what they can to ensure that the students have a healthy study environment.

The editorial reminds other regions to treat the earthquake-area students as equals and let them feel at home in the regions away from their hometowns in Sichuan Province.