BEIJING, July 9 -- THE Ministry of Education has banned university students from renting private accommodation during semesters.

All students have been told they must share four to eight-person dormitories.

In a notice issued on Friday, the ministry instructed all universities to make the dormitories "another front for political and ideological education" to create "a good climate for the students' growth."

The ministry told the universities to strengthen the administration of dormitories, in what it says will ensure the safety of students and heighten communication between them.

It also ruled that students sharing dormitories should be classmates to make it easier for teachers to monitor behavior outside the classroom.

Officials of Qinghua University, one of the most noted tertiary institutions in the country, have promised to implement the new regulations.

Some students have voiced their discontent over having their freedom of choice taken away just two years after the government relaxed regulations which allowed the renting of private apartments off campus.

Zhang Ting, a student at Renmin University in Beijing, complained to the Beijing Morning Post about her university cutting the electricity off too early every night. In most universities, the lights go out at 11:30pm during the week.

"We know they just want us to have a good sleep ,but we need more time to study for exams," she said. "Universities should be more flexible towards the administration of dorms."

However, some of the students rent houses for privacy rather than study, particularly if they live with a boyfriend or girlfriend. Students say it will be difficult for the universities to prevent this practice. Another Renmin University student, speaking anonymously, said one of her roommates never slept in the dormitory because she lived with her boyfriend in a rented apartment.

Others favour the more stable environment provided by campus accommodation. "I prefer living in a dormitory because it is safer and I enjoy living with other people," said Pi Xian, a third-year student from Nanjing University, who will live in a dormitory with six others next year.

The regulations are most likely to affect students from a middle-class background. The cost of dormitory fees range from 500 to 1,200 yuan (US$66 to US$158) per year whereas renting private accommodation in a city like Beijing can cost about 1,500 yuan a month for a one-bedroom apartment.