Next week, China will celebrate Teachers' Day. So, the government invited five teachers to share their views on how the country's educational system has changed. Mark Fontes explains.

Since 1978, China's education system has experienced major organizational changes, especially in higher-ed. One teacher, Tao Wenquan, a professor at Xi'an Jiaotong University, noted what the most significant change was.

TAO WENQUAN, PROFESSOR XI'AN JIAOTONG UNIVERSITY "An important change since the reform and opening up began was the establishment of a degree system. Before, we had no degree system in China. No degrees were granted, even for post-graduates. Later, we established the bachelor-master-doctor degree system. The cultivation of a large number of high-quality, post-graduate students plays an important role in the development of higher education and science in our country. 

With parents putting a greater emphasis on their children's education, many more students are taking part in extracurricular activities than before. Another teacher selected by the State Council Information Office, Chen Liqun -- who has been a headmaster for 30 years -- believes it will take more than just the parents, however.

CHEN LIQUN, HEADMASTER XUEJUN JUNIOR MIDDLE SCHOOL, HANGZHOU "In recent years, our government has issued many documents and explicit regulations. In addition to the awareness of parents, school is the main channel for the further improvement of the quality of education. To provide our children with better education, in my view, is a comprehensive project that requires effort from all sides.

Experts say there are three key elements for creating a successful education system: A good foundational ideology, good teachers, and ever-improving institutional changes and management system. They believe a dedicated educator continuously seeks better ways to teach. In addition, they say a successful education system requires more understanding from society, parents and students. Together, these factors will boost China's education system into prosperous development and in turn, promote the sustainable development of the country's comprehensive national strength.