On July 13, Vice Education Minister Sun Yao was in Xinjiang to inspect progress with poverty alleviation through education.

At a workshop held on the theme of “Staying true to the purpose of education” he chaired, Sun heard presentations from local officials and representatives on efforts made in a number of fields, including measures aimed at lowering drop-out rates among students enrolled in 9-year compulsory education, poverty alleviation through vocational education, and teacher capacity building.

Ren Hua, deputy governor of Xinjiang, expressed her thanks to the MOE for supporting educational reforms and development in the Uygur autonomous region and pledged to meet MOE’s targets to reduce poverty in Xinjiang through education by fully implementing its policies.

Sun applauded the educational progress achieved in Xinjiang in recent years, noting in particular the rapid development of its preschool education. He also pledged targeted support for Xinjiang to help it achieve its goal of stamping out poverty through education.

Participants to the workshop included representatives of the Aksu, Tacheng, Yarkant County, and Akto County education bureaus, Kashgar Dongcheng No. 9 Junior Middle School, No. 1 Primary School of Qapqal Xibe Autonomous County, Xinjiang Agricultural Vocational Technical College and Lop County Vocational School.