Rural focus for education spending boost

Spending on education is expected to take up a record 4% of China's gross domestic product during the coming five years, up from the current level of 2.79%, state media reported. Minister of Education Zhou Ji said Tuesday the increased funding would boost vocational training for its massive rural migrant labor force and help guarantee compulsory education. China implemented the Compulsory Education Law 20 years ago. Last year, primary school attendance hit 99.15%, while junior high school enrolment reached 95%, up 6% from 2000, although drop-out rates were high in some areas, ministry statistics show. Beijing plans to apportion at least US$26.94 billion in the 2006-10 period to ensure every child in rural areas can enjoy nine years of compulsory education, Zhou said.