To tackle the nationwide shortcomings in arts education and the lack of qualified teaching staff, the State Council on Sept 28 urged schools at all levels to upgrade the quality of their arts courses and their management system.

According to a document released the same day, China will beef up efforts to strengthen arts education starting this year, aiming for a major breakthrough by 2018, when arts courses will be sufficient throughout schools and resource allocation further optimized. By 2020, a system of arts education encompassing colleges, schools and kindergartens will be established.

Being the most vulnerable link in the entire education chain, the arts have long been ignored by schools, as they used most of the class time for exam-oriented training.

The State Council called on schools to set up various arts courses, such as music, dancing, and drama, in a scientific way to help expand students’ scope of interest. Schools in remote areas will also gain access to quality multi-media teaching materials with the use of technology.

China will also invest heavily in improving the overall quality of arts teachers and encourage more well-known artists to visit campuses and join the teaching initiative.