China to reform education towards equality, freedom

INTRO

China also issued a new education guideline on Wednesday, aimed at ensuring education equality and making schools and universities more independent, from the government...

The order is set to encourage greater academic freedom and creativity, after more than sixty years of rote learning under strict state supervision.

A shakeup for China's schools...

According to the new guideline published by the Ministry of Education, enrollment and education policies that discriminate against students based on their gender, ethnic group or any handicap, must go.

It also vows to provide equal education opportunities for disabled children - many of whom are turned away by rural schools, out of superstition that they may bring bad luck.

The new guideline also says students should have the right to have their opinions heard, to improve transparency in schools' management...

And asks schools to protect the academic freedom of students and teachers, within legal boundaries - adding that the government will shift its focus from detailed daily management, to broader policy making.

Meaning, more critical thought and creativity, should soon enter China's classrooms...

To raise a generation capable of coming up with the new ideas and innovations needed, to transform China's economy.

The new guideline also says institutions should prevent official involvement in academic work - to avoid distorted research findings.

And asks all primary and middle schools to set up parent committees, allowing parents to supervise schools...In the hope that they can better serve, their students.