Part of China's efforts to support its modernization drive and national rejuvenation, it is the first national action plan dedicated solely to enhancing educational excellence and aims to equip the next generation to meet the challenges of a rapidly evolving world.

Healthier learning 

The plan covers basic, higher and vocational education. It outlines both short-term and long-term goals, with milestones set for 2027 and 2035.

Targets for 2027 include the initial establishment of a high-quality education system and significant improvement to talent cultivation, to foster a steady stream of outstanding, innovative individuals.

By 2035, the high-quality education system will be fully established, the accessibility and quality of basic education (which generally spans from preschool to senior high school) will be among the best in the world, a fully developed learning-focused society will be in place, and overall educational modernization will be achieved, according to the plan.

The initiative aims to promote the healthy growth and comprehensive development of students by emphasizing quality education and establishing a holistic cultivation system that integrates morality, intellect, physical fitness, aesthetic education and labor skills. Key measures include adopting a health-first educational philosophy and launching a student fitness enhancement plan, ensuring that middle and primary school students engage in at least two hours of physical activities daily, with the primary aim of reducing the incidence of myopia and obesity.

In 2021, education authorities issued policies to reduce the excessive burden of homework and after-school tutoring on primary and middle school students. This policy shift precluded students participating in after-school tutoring in regular subjects taught at school, leading to a loss of business that threatened the survival of many companies in the sector. The new plan requires local authorities to build on the results of this national campaign by further reducing the homework burden on students.

"By reinforcing these policies, the government aims to create a more balanced educational environment that fosters holistic development rather than mere academic competition," Ma Shasha, a primary school teacher in Tianjin Municipality, told Beijing Review. She said that since the 2021 campaign was launched, her school and colleagues have been encouraged to innovate and diversify their teaching methods, ultimately benefiting students by promoting a healthier approach to learning. "Ensuring that students can thrive both academically and personally is a common goal for students, parents, teachers, schools and authorities," she added.

Emphasis on sci-tech 

In the coming years, China will launch new programs to promote science literacy among elementary and junior high school students while fostering the development of senior high school students who have shown promising potential in innovation, according to the outline. 

Support for science and technology education will also be enhanced within the tertiary sector by accelerating the development of advanced research universities, encouraging overseas universities that are strong in science and engineering to offer programs in China, and vigorously promoting professional postgraduate degree programs. The plan also calls for the creation of a mechanism to adjust academic disciplines and majors in alignment with advancements in science and technology as well as the country's national strategies.

Wu Yan, Vice Minister of Education, said at a press conference last September that in 2024, China introduced 1,673 new undergraduate programs urgently needed for pursuing national strategies and removed 1,670 that do not align with economic and social development, an adjustment he described as "unprecedented."

For example, South China University of Technology in Guangzhou, Guangdong Province was the first to apply to offer programs in soft matter science and engineering, and intelligent maritime equipment. The outline also stipulates the introduction of standards for digital literacy for both teachers and students, and efforts that be made to enhance teacher training with the support of artificial intelligence (AI).

Li Yongzhi, President of the China National Academy of Educational Sciences, explained that while extensive knowledge acquisition was necessary in the past, the focus is now shifting with the development of high technology. "There will be a reduction in the emphasis on rote memorization, allowing more time to develop students' learning abilities, cognitive skills, emotional intelligence and higher-order thinking," Li told news website

CCTV.com. "This approach aims to prepare students to collaborate effectively with AI in daily life, work and production, thereby cultivating talent for the future AI era."

Further opening up 

Notably, the new educational blueprint emphasizes increased international openness. China aims to enhance its capacity to train and attract global talent, increase youth exchange with other countries, and introduce international summer school programs.

At the press conference last September, Wu announced that China plans to initiate 800 major international summer school projects over the next three years. Furthermore, plans are already underway to host 50,000 American and 10,000 French teenagers for exchange programs.

According to the plan, China will expand academic exchange and foster educational and research cooperation globally while supporting its universities in initiating and participating in international scientific programs. It will also increase its engagement in global education governance and deepen cooperation with international organizations such as UNESCO and other multilateral mechanisms.

Moreover, China will establish a network for educational innovation to support the development of international STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) education institutes. STEM has gained increasing international prominence in education since its introduction by the U.S. National Science Foundation in the 1980s. China began embracing it in the 2010s and, in 2017, the Ministry of Education published new standards for primary school science education, incorporating STEM as a core component.

At the 42nd Session of the UNESCO General Conference on November 9, 2023, the organization announced the establishment of UNESCO International Institute for STEM Education (IISTEM) in Shanghai. This institute is the first Category 1 UNESCO facility in China and the first of its kind outside Europe and the Americas. Its primary functions include promoting inclusive, equitable and high-quality STEM education from early childhood to adulthood, serving as an information exchange center, network hub, resource base and capacity-building focal point in the field of STEM education.

Copyedited by G.P. Wilson 

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