A Russian teacher shows a Chinese student participating in an international summer school in Vladivostok, Russia, how to paint wooden nesting dolls. [Photo/VCG]

Lack of regulation

According to a report published in April by the education service provider New Oriental Education & Technology Group, primary and middle school students account for most of the children on overseas study tours, which are mainly organized by schools and institutions.

It noted that in the future a growing number of parents would prefer their children to participate in study programs organized by schools, rather than other institutions.

"China has no specific laws to govern these study programs, especially long-term, non-degree tours," Yang said.

Hu Guang, a judge at Beijing Haidian District People's Court, said the government should supervise the study tour market, and called on parents to improve their legal awareness before allowing their children to study overseas.

'Disorderly' rise

Overseas study at undergraduate level is well protected under Chinese law, while international exchanges undertaken by universities in China and abroad are governed by strict rules devised by the education ministry.

"In other words, the rise in study visits, those organized by schools for students, most of them younger than 15, has been disorderly," said Yang, who has called for the market to be regulated as quickly as possible.

She is also concerned about the legality of such tours: "I'm not sure whether schools - as part of the country's public educational system - have the right to undertake commercial activities and sign contracts with parents."

Despite the recent problems, Judge Hu believes study visits should be encouraged: "Going out, seeing the world and experiencing different cultures is good for students. What we should do is ensure children's safety overseas," he said.

"It's essential to sign a contract with the organizers, and parents should pay close attention to safety clauses, such as those related to medical care and sanitation."

Hu said parents should improve their risk awareness and attempt to learn basic contract law to clarify each party's responsibilities, especially as schools are often the main organizers, but travel agencies or educational institutions run the actual tours. "That often means their duties are different," he said, referring to differing areas of responsibility, such as which party should pay compensation if things fail to go as planned.

Details equal safety

Both Yang and Hu called on parents to read all the relevant information carefully before allowing their children to participate in trips organized by institutions.

"The more specifics an educational institution provides, the safer the children will be," Yang said. "Because school-based study tours are unregulated, parents are advised to select large, qualified educational institutions with good reputations."

Kou Fei, who oversees foreign study tours at the Education International Cooperation Group, said the company insists that parents sign a contract before their child can participate. "It's a must for us. We provide specific information, such as what the students will eat and where they will live, in the document. Parents are shown photos and videos of the food, lodgings, transportation and what the children will study," she said.

If tours have been organized by a school, the group outlines its responsibilities and those of the school. "We separate our responsibilities from those of the school, and inform parents which party to contact if problems occur," she added.

"The clearer the separation of responsibility, the easier it is to resolve disputes."