Uyghur student
Senior high school education might soon be made free of charge for students in Kashgar, Hotan and Kezilesu Kirgiz prefectures, the three most underdeveloped regions in southern Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region.
Zhao Dezhong, Party secretary of Xinjiang regional education bureau, said the new move, which extends free education from the national standard of nine years to 12 years, aims to improve the overall education situation in the region.
He said the free senior high school education scheme will follow a ‘two plus one’ mode. ‘Students will spend two years learning basic knowledge, and in the final year, they will receive occupational training, which will make them more competitive in the job market.’
The education plan, which will cost RMB3.5 billion($512 million), was still awaiting a final nod from the central government.
Source: China View