Zhongshan plans to build a number of high-quality private schools. [File photo by Xia Shengquan]

The 23rd Session of the Standing Committee of the 15th Zhongshan Municipal People's Congress was convened on July 29. The meeting discussed, deliberated, and adopted the report covering the enforcement of the "Law on the Promotion of Non-public Schools of the People's Republic of China" submitted by the law enforcement inspection group of the Standing Committee.

The report analyzes the development and current issues of Zhongshan's private education industry. Furthermore, it proposes that "it is of a great necessity to encourage and support social forces to run high-quality non-public schools", and, "it is necessary to advance the coordinated and healthy development of non-public education", among numerous suggestions.

According to the report, private education institutions can admit nearly 30,000 students each year. This includes the enrollment of children who follow their migrant parents to Zhongshan. Meanwhile, the private education industry in Zhongshan faces other challenges, such as a lack of motivation to improve the conditions of school facilities, teaching quality, and poorly equipped facilities.

At the subsequent media briefing, Li Jiaying, Director of the Zhongshan Education and Sports Bureau, answered media's questions. He spoke in detail regarding the development of the non-public education industry in Zhongshan.

"In accordance with related national and provincial documents on the development of private education, we will adhere to non-profit-oriented promotions, while focusing on encouraging social organizations and individuals to take part in the running of non-profit private schools," said Li.

Li also looked forward to structure optimization of private schools. "Next, we will strive to adjust the proportion of private schools with high, medium, and low fees to 3:4:3; focusing on developing private schools with medium fees," said Li. "We hope to soon have a number of high-quality private schools to offer Zhongshan citizens more education choices."