A television station will broadcast classes for school students starting Monday so that students, especially those in rural areas who cannot connect to the internet at home, can continue to study after schools across China delayed the start of the new semester due to the novel coronavirus outbreak, a senior Ministry of Education official said on Wednesday.

Lyu Yugang, director of the Basic Education Department of the ministry, said at a news conference that Channel 4 of China Education Television would broadcast course material for elementary, middle and high school students to help them study at home.

Answering a call by the ministry late last month, education authorities, schools and after-school training institutions have been offering students online courses during the prolonged winter vacation.

"We will offer various study methods to support students, especially left-behind children," Lyu said. "The TV satellites cover remote villages and will help those who can't get access to online courses due to poor internet access."