Premier: China to provide more equitable, higher-quality education

World
Europe

China will promote the integrated development of compulsory urban and rural education, and provide more equitable and higher-quality education for all, Premier Li Keqiang said on Tuesday.

Li made the remarks while delivering a government work report at the opening meeting of the second session of the 13th National People's Congress (NPC).

The Premier said that China will speed up improving conditions in rural schools, while at the same time address the problem of oversized classes in urban schools.

Premier Li Keqiang delivers government work report at the opening meeting of second session of the 13th National People's Congress (NPC). /CGTN Photo

He also talked about ensuring access for children living with their migrant worker parents in cities, which has been an increasingly large problem, due to the expanding number of migrant workers who relocate from the countryside in order to work and live in the cities.

Internet Plus Education models will also be further developed, the premier said, so as to promote quality resource sharing.

“The government will support all kindergartens that meet safety standards, charge reasonable fees, and have the trust of parents, regardless of whether they are public or private,” Premier Li said in the government work report.

Meanwhile, he also vowed that the full payment of salary to teachers in compulsory education will be ensured as usual, and the country will also continue to support the development of world-class universities and disciplines.

The government's budgetary spending on education will remain above four percent of the gross domestic product (GDP), and central government spending on education will exceed one trillion yuan (150 billion U.S. dollars).

00:51

The premier also vowed on intensifying efforts to promote art and literature, in order to enrich the intellectual and cultural life of the people.

Premier Li Keqiang said that China will put more effort into improving online content, as well as in developing the press, publishing, radio, film, television, and archiving industries.

He also talked about the protection and use of cultural relics, and the preservation of intangible cultural heritage, adding that intensified measures will be adopted in achieving that goal. The reform and development of cultural programs and industries will also be promoted, so as to increase the capacity of public cultural service s at the community level.

The spirit of “struggle”, “science” and the “role-model work ethic” as well as “the pursuit of fine workmanship” were highlighted in the work report, and fostering and practicing the core socialist values were emphasized.