Education for the poor

That Premier Wen Jiabao talked about education for the poor a day before the country's 23rd Teachers' Day that fell yesterday is significant in many respects.

In the premier's words, education is also for children from impoverished families to enjoy as much equality and fairness as possible in seeking the same opportunities afforded to others.

The premier was frank about existing realities, admitting that the country's economic development is unbalanced and so is its education system. And his concerns indicate he knows well how important education is for many poverty-stricken rural children.