The Ministry of Education said it will strictly investigate any falsified employment information for graduates after the ministry has found some colleges faking employment contracts of graduates.

The ministry opposes any form of employment information fabrication for college graduates and will hold colleges and local education authorities that have falsified employment information accountable, it said in a notice on Tuesday evening.

Graduates can check their employment status at the China Higher-education Student Information website and local education authorities and colleges should strictly verify the employment information of all graduates, especially those who have registered under flexible employment, it said.

The ministry has also opened a hotline and email account to receive reports on employment information fabrication, it said.

According to a notice issued by the ministry last month, local education authorities and colleges should not force graduates to sign employment agreements or contracts, nor associate contract signing with issuing a diploma or degree.

Colleges and education authorities should make the most efforts to help college graduates find jobs amid the negative influence of the COVID-19 pandemic, the ministry said.

They should continue to offer employment services and guidance to students who have not found jobs after graduation to make sure they can find jobs soon, it added.

A record 8.74 million college graduates graduated from the country's higher education institutions this year, and they have faced more challenges in finding employment amid the pandemic.