China's Ministry of Education has instructed local education departments and schools to review safety and educate students on safe traveling over the week-long May Day holiday.

Authorities should focus on eliminating accident risks and patrolling populous areas, such as teachers' quarters and student dormitories, said ministry's spokesman Wang Xuming.

Preliminary inspections jointly carried out by the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Public Security and the State Administration of Work Safety have highlighted dangers including alack of emergency plans, and overcrowded grounds and rooms, especially in the rural areas.

The ministry advised students to travel in groups and warned them to be alert during the week-long holiday when millions of people will be moving by road, air and rail.

Previous accidents on school grounds and campuses have prompted the ministry to issue the instruction, said Wang.

Eleven pupils were injured in March 22 when a classroom collapsed at a primary school in southwest China's Sichuan Province.

A mountain flood swept through a primary school in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province last June, claiming 109 lives, including 105 children.

Also in Heilongjiang, two children aged nine and 12 were killed in separate traffic accidents on school grounds last year.

School heads are accountable for on-campus safety and would face administrative penalties for lapses leading to casualties and property losses, and prosecution if they violated the law, Wang said.