The first batch of 8,000 young people is going to begin their classes in this autumn. Shi Yongsong, a student from Mentougou, a district in west suburban Beijing, is one of them. He will attend courses through the Mentougou branch of the Beijing Radio and TV College. In the coming fall, the program will be carried out in 99 county-level radio and TV colleges which are affiliated to 27 of the country's provincial colleges of the same kind. Recruitment for these colleges is under way.

Rural youths have fewer opportunities to go to college as it is usually hard for them to pass the national college entrance examinations. Those who enroll into a college are often not willing to return and work in their hometowns, while technical personnel are badly needed in the rural areas.

By enrolling students from the rural areas and giving lectures in their nearby towns, the TV and radio schools will offer courses relating to farming technologies, such as planting, breeding, mushroom growing, food processing, gardening, husbandry and management of rural enterprises. Graduates of high schools, secondary vocational schools and junior high schools are qualified for application.

Television stations and websites will give the TV and radio colleges a helpful hand, though many of the classes will be taught in classrooms and tutoring will be provided if necessary. The students will receive diplomas or certificates after they complete all the required courses and get the needed credit hours. According to each individual's specific situation, he or she may get a diploma for normal college graduates; a certificate for a specific subject; or that for a short-term training.

(China.org.cn by Wang Ruyue, July 15, 2004)