SUBURBAN schools in Shanghai, which are widely thought to be inferior to those in the downtown area and are therefore less popular, used to face serious staff recruitment challenges because of low salaries.

But many schools say the situation has been improving in recent years as educational authorities have been trying entice teachers with better pay and the cost of living in the downtown area has soared, making the suburbs more attractive.

Many suburban schools were unrepresented at a job fair for teachers yesterday because they have already recruited enough teachers.