China invests 36 bln yuan in rural education
Xinhua, March 20, 2014 Adjust font size:
China has invested more than 36 billion yuan (5.8 billion U.S. dollars) since 2010 on improving educational facilities in rural areas, according to the Ministry of Education (MOE) on Thursday.
A project was launched four years ago aimed at strengthening rural compulsory education in central and western China. The central government has provided 21.9 billion yuan, with 14.5 billion yuan coming from local governments.
The money was used to improve teaching labs and multimedia teaching facilities, as well as for the purchase of books benefiting 165,200 primary and secondary schools, said the ministry.
Money has also been spent on music and painting equipment.
Children in rural and mountain areas can now enjoy music and painting courses just like their peers in cities, said the MOE.
The ministry said they have been promoting education fairness by narrowing the gap between rural and urban education resources.
Some students who transferred to cities for a better education are now returning to local rural schools, the MOE said.
