Xi stresses basic education development

President Xi Jinping has called for efforts to carry out the basic task of fostering virtue through education and break new ground in the high-quality development of the country's basic education.

Xi, who is also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks in an instruction on work related to basic education.

He pointed out that since the 18th CPC National Congress in 2012, the CPC Central Committee has prioritized basic education as a foundational and leading task, taking multiple measures to promote significant development in basic education, thus providing robust support for building a strong country in education.

Xi required fully implementing the Party's policies on education to nurture students with well-rounded development in terms of moral grounding, intellectual capability, physical vigor, aesthetic sensibility and work skills, who will fully develop socialism and carry forward the socialist cause.

He underlined the need to follow the inherent laws of education, uphold the "health first" principle, and enhance the quality of education and teaching to promote physical and mental health and the overall development of students.

It is important to meet the new expectations of the people to enhance the quality of basic education and ensure equality in education, Xi said, emphasizing the importance of cultivating a high-caliber and professional teaching workforce.

He urged Party committees and governments at all levels to shoulder their political responsibilities, optimize the allocation of educational resources, deepen comprehensive education reform, and promote coordinated efforts from schools, families and society to continuously make new advances in the high-quality development of basic education.

Xi's instruction was conveyed by Vice-Premier Ding Xuexiang at the national basic education work conference, which was held in Beijing on Wednesday.

Addressing the conference, Ding said that efforts must be made to strictly manage student admissions and enrollment, and provide more care and support to left-behind children in rural areas and the children of migrant workers in cities.

It is essential to firmly ensure equity in education and promote balanced development in basic education, he said, calling for efforts to optimize the allocation of educational resources to adapt to demographic changes.

Ding emphasized the need to deepen education and teaching reforms with a student-centered approach, and shape new advantages in basic education.

The basic education system in China includes preschool education, nine-year compulsory education from elementary to junior high school, and standard senior high school.

China has built the world's largest basic education system and is shifting its focus from ensuring access to improving education quality, with major progress in equality in education, digital learning and student development, according to the Ministry of Education.

Beyond expanding access, China is placing greater emphasis on students' all-around development.

caodesheng@chinadaily.com.cn