China Unveils Guidelines for Strong Educational Development (2024-2035)

On December 2, 2024, students from Zhaoming Primary School in Xiangyang, Hubei Province took part in an obstacle jump event during their long break sports activities, which reflect the Ministry of Education's requirement for at least 30 minutes of daily physical activity for students. This event is part of a broader initiative that aligns with recently issued guidelines aimed at constructing a strong educational framework in China by 2035.

The new guidelines, released on a Sunday, emphasize the need to increase the scale of graduate education, raise the proportion of doctoral candidates, and enhance the salaries and benefits of teachers, especially those in high schools and kindergartens. The strategic plan outlines the objectives and methods necessary for reforming educational practices across various levels and types of education, promising significant advancements by 2027 and a fully established education system by 2035.

One major focus of the guidelines is the promotion of mental health education, alongside the establishment of a national monitoring system for student well-being. Additionally, a health-first approach is being adopted, which requires students in primary and secondary schools to engage in at least two hours of daily physical activity. Activities such as campus football will be encouraged to combat rising rates of obesity and myopia among children.

The guidelines also aim to implement the "double reduction" policy, which focuses on enhancing educational quality while regulating extracurricular training and reducing homework. There are plans to decrease the number of daily exams and improve the quality of after-school services, with a strong emphasis on fostering scientific education and core competencies.

Furthermore, the guidelines will expand the enrollment for quality undergraduate education over the next decade, increase graduate education opportunities, and support greater inclusion of doctoral programs. New higher education resources will be particularly allocated to central and western regions of China and ethnic minority areas. Additionally, promoting partnerships with prestigious foreign universities in science and engineering is part of the strategy to enhance educational outcomes and fulfill national talent development needs.