The State Council on May 14 issued a bill entitled the "Methods of Free Education for Students Majoring in Education." These methods spell out conditions whereby future teachers having their university fees waived would agree to spend at least ten years teaching at primary and middle school level in their native areas after graduation.
The trial run will begin in the winter semester of the 2007-2008 academic year and will encompass students at six universities under the Ministry of Education's supervision, namely Beijing Normal University, East China Normal University, Northeast Normal University, Huazhong Normal University, Shaanxi Normal University and Southwest University.
This regulation exists to ensure a strong supply of primary and middle school teachers who will emerge from these normal universities, with the methods geared towards those institutions having made the greatest contributions to this end.
Following the policy's announcement, officials from the Ministry of Education and the principals of the six universities concerned will meet over the next two days to discuss details.
So far, the system will see respected and experienced teachers assigned to tutor the education students concerned and foster their training and development. Furthermore, prior to graduation, it is aimed that each student shall enjoy a six-month internship in primary or middle schools.
(China.org.cn by Li Xiaohua, May 15, 2007)
