Shanghai, Aug. 31 -- THE city will give 1,600 high school dropouts from low-income families the chance to return to class this year.

The move is part of a program called "Flying Under the Sunshine" that provides 16- to 18-year-olds from low-income families with free education and vocational training.

The program was launched last year, when it sent 355 students back to the classroom, with 264 of them finding jobs after graduation, and another four going on to post-secondary education.

So far 799 new students have signed up for the fall semester, which starts tomorrow, and more will enter in the winter term.

Program organizers have set up 17 schools in 12 districts, supported by the Shanghai Charity Foundation. Schooling takes 18 months and graduates will receive high school diplomas and certificates for two professional skills.

Eligible individuals must have local residential IDs, be unemployed school dropouts, and come from low-income families. Low income families are categorized as families with a monthly income of less than 320 yuan (US$40) in Shanghai.