(ECNS) -- A middle school headmaster has been removed from office after 81 teachers were found to be helping themselves to food free to students in Ankang, Northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Beijing Times reports.
China has a policy of providing a food subsidy for students in poorer regions or who come from poor families. Ankang's Datong Middle School implemented a program included the provision of a nutritious meal from the spring semester in 2012.
An investigation by the Party's disciplinary committee found that since the spring semester last year 81 teachers have taken advantage of the program by dining with students without paying.
Shi Hongan, the headmaster, was subsequently fired and also received the Party's internal disciplinary punishment.
Teachers were also required to pay back 14,560 yuan ($2,230), which will be reinvested into the nutritious meal program.
Local authorities urged schools to improve supervision of the food subsidy financed by the government.
