Journalists at Zhoushan Network Media Co paid a visit to the after-school student care center of Dinghai Primary School in Dinghai district, Zhoushan, East China's Zhejiang province on Dec 25.

On that rainy day, more than 20 students were reading books or doing homework in the center under the supervision of Yu Tao, a teacher at the school.

"My parents both work far away from our school and cannot pick me up in time," said Gu Yuxin, a girl in second grade. "Every weekday, I study at the center and wait for them."

Wu Hanzhe, a boy in second grade, said: "I feel very comfortable here. I can finish my homework on time and spend my spare time reading comic books."

Gu Haifang, director of teaching and discipline at the school, said that over 200 students have registered at the center since it was established and teachers are arranged to take turns to supervise registered students.

Since the start of this year, the city has been promoting after-school care services for primary students, said Zhang Ping, an official at the city's municipal bureau of education.

According to Zhang, to date, a total of 53 primary schools in urban and rural areas have been providing such services, covering more than 9,700 students.

In a bid to lighten the burden of students' parents, the bureau charges 280 yuan ($40) per semester per student for these services.