China to ramp up teacher training

China will focus on building high-level teacher training universities over the next five years as part of broader efforts to enhance the country's teacher education system and capabilities, according to a recent notice.

Issued by the Ministry of Education and the National Development and Reform Commission, the notice emphasizes combining hard infrastructure investment with soft capacity development, prioritizing the cultivation of future teachers' scientific literacy and practical skills. Key objectives include building first-class teacher education colleges, specialized disciplines and curricula.

Reforms will be carried out in existing teacher training programs, integrating undergraduate and postgraduate studies. Practical training and teaching will account for a larger portion of the curriculum for education majors, who will be required to complete more than 18 weeks of mock teaching, the notice said.