BEIJING - China's Ministry of Education on Monday asked schools and kindergartens to organize evacuation drills on a regular basis to ensure quick response to emergencies such as earthquakes and fires.

Schools are advised to carry out at least one drill each month while kindergartens should do so every three months, according to a guideline issued by the ministry.

"People generally have only two minutes to escape during earthquakes and fires," the guideline says.

It asks middle schools to finish each drill within two minutes and primary schools within three minutes.

Urban schools with comparatively more students and rural boarding schools should carry out more evacuation drills, the guideline adds.

Schools with school buses are also advised to carry out regular drills to prepare students for security-related emergencies.