BEIJING — China's preschools shall carry out background checks when hiring staff workers, according to a draft law on preschool education, unveiled by authorities on Sept 7 to solicit public opinion.

Individuals who shall be barred from working at preschools, according to the draft, include those deprived of political rights, and those who have a criminal record as well as people who have received administrative penalties for child abuse, sexual abuse, sexual harassment, and relevant acts, according to the draft law unveiled by the official website of the Ministry of Education.

Those who have records of illegal behavior such as drug and alcohol abuse and gambling, and people suffering from mental illness or having a history of mental illness, or having records of acts seriously violating teachers' ethics, will also be banned.