Plan launched to test compulsory school system

A plan that will enable the country to evaluate the compulsory education system for the first time was launched on Wednesday, with experts saying it will assist in policymaking and promote quality education across the country.

The plan, drawn up by the State Council's Education Supervision and Guidance Committee, is designed to test the academic performance and physical and mental health of junior middle school and primary school students. It will also examine factors that affect their performance and health.

"We have been unable, for a long time, either to evaluate the standard of our compulsory education system or to analyze the problems that exist because of the lack of statistics," said He Xiuchao, director of the Ministry of Education's Supervision and Guidance Office. "The implementation of the plan will enable us to do so."