MOE issues opinions on consolidating education-enabled poverty alleviation results

As a follow-up to instructions by the CPC Central Committee and State Council on consolidating poverty alleviation outcomes and promoting rural revitalization, the MOE in conjunction with three other ministries issued opinions on redoubling efforts to fend off poverty and rejuvenate rural areas through education. 

The opinions set out four priority areas of work. First, the implementation of a long-term mechanism to consolidate and expand the results of compulsory education. Second, the establishment of sound institutions to support the education of students from economically disadvantaged families in rural areas. Third, a greater number of competent departments to support vocational education in areas that have shaken off poverty, to improve the quality of high school and inclusive pre-school education, and to continue to implement preferential policies for students from poor rural areas to go to college. Fourth, greater targeted vocational assistance from more prosperous coastal provinces to western provinces.  

The opinions call for stronger organization, guidance, planning, and safeguards to ensure that education plays a vital role in consolidating poverty-alleviation outcomes and revitalizing rural areas. In particular, more educational expenditure is expected to be channeled to key fresh-out-of-poverty counties, supplemented by more stringent outcome assessment to address gaps. The opinions also encourage private participation in the effort to create optimal synergy.