On Sunday, January 19, the Communist Party's central committee and the State Council unveiled an ambitious plan to transform China's education system by 2035. The initiative aims to establish a "high-quality education system" that ranks among the best globally. This strategic plan seeks to enhance accessibility and quality, ultimately positioning China as an "education power" by the target year.
A significant component of this plan involves increasing enrollment in high-quality undergraduate programs and expanding postgraduate education. The authorities intend to raise the proportion of doctoral students, reflecting a commitment to advancing academic excellence. Additionally, the plan addresses primary and secondary education by mandating at least two hours of physical activity for students each day, aiming to control myopia and obesity rates effectively.
"By 2035, an education power will be built," the official Xinhua news agency stated, highlighting China's strategic educational goals.
The initiative also seeks to tackle high childcare and education costs, a critical factor influencing young Chinese couples' decisions regarding family planning. By promoting the "healthy growth and all-round development of students," the government aims to alleviate these concerns, encouraging more families to have children. This comes in response to China's population decline for the third consecutive year in 2024, where deaths exceeded births, raising concerns about future demographic trends.
Experts caution that the population downturn may worsen, necessitating urgent action. In response, the plan includes measures to "popularise" mental health education and implement a national student mental health monitoring and early warning system. These initiatives aim to ensure students' well-being, fostering an environment conducive to learning and personal development.
"Popularising" mental health education and establishing a national student mental health monitoring and early warning system would also be implemented, it said.
- Official Xinhua news agency
The comprehensive plan outlines a vision for educational reform across all levels. It emphasizes not only academic achievement but also holistic development. By gradually expanding the scope of free education, China seeks to make high-quality education accessible to a broader segment of the population.
"By 2035, an education power will be built," the official Xinhua news agency reiterated, emphasizing China's commitment to increasing "high-quality" undergraduate enrolment, expanding postgraduate education, and raising the proportion of doctoral students.
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