BEIJING, April 23 -- A national campaign will be launched to crack down on arbitrary charges by primary and secondary schools, Chinese authorities said on Wednesday in a statement.

The campaign will target irregular fee-related practices by teachers and schools, including holding extra classes for payment, according to the statement jointly released by the education and finance ministries, the National Development and Reform Commission, the National Audit Office and the State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film and Television.

Faculties, schools and local educational authorities involved in violations will be severely punished, it added.

Irregular charges for reference books and school admissions are also forbidden in primary and secondary schools, said the statement, adding supervision over fee collections by high schools will be tightened.

Arbitrary school charges have become a major obstacle preventing students from middle- and low-income families from attending school in China.