China will promote education during the 13th Five-Year Plan period (2016-2020), according to a circular issued by the State Council on Jan 19.

The document pinpointed major tasks that will be undertaken over the five years, focusing on student quality, innovative and balanced development, creating a favorable campus and social environment, international cooperation, teacher quality and cultivating talent and governmental and policy supports.

In 2015, the number of students receiving higher education, nine-year compulsory education, and preschool education reached 36.5 million, 140 million, and 42.7 million respectively. Those numbers will be increased to 38.5 million, 150 million, and 45 million by 2020, according to the circular that sets the educational goals for the 13th Five-Year Plan period.

The plan encourages the cultivation of students’ entrepreneurship and innovation capabilities and practical skills. It also emphasizes the need to strengthen exam and recruitment reforms, promote higher education, develop internet plus education, and promote and regulate private education.

In addition, efforts should be made to optimize urban and rural education, create a favorable school environment, advance international education cooperation, improve education quality in rural and regions inhabited by ethnic groups, promote entrepreneurship of college graduates, increase teacher quality, and carry forward education modernization.

The social sector and private companies should be encouraged to set up schools and education institutions and provide diversified educational products and services.

Internet plus educational training should also be implemented to boost construction and sharing of digital education resources.

Continuing education should be further developed as efforts should be made to offer education and training to farmers, workers, and retired veterans.