The Ministry of Education convened the 2025 National Education Work Conference in Beijing on Jan. 9. Minister of Education Huai Jinpeng outlined the achievements of 2024 and set priorities for the coming year.
Huai emphasized the strategic importance of education as a cornerstone for national rejuvenation and noted the significant progress made in 2024 under the leadership of President Xi Jinping. He said education reform in 2024 remained fully aligned with national development goals, including fostering talent, advancing technology, and addressing pressing societal needs. He noted that numerous initiatives focused on improving educational equity and expanding access to high-quality resources. Huai also emphasized that these efforts benefited countless families and laid a strong foundation for future progress.
Looking ahead, the minister detailed seven priorities for 2025, a year deemed critical for establishing China as a global leader in education.
The first priority emphasizes strengthening the role of education in shaping values and fostering a sense of shared purpose. By aligning with national goals, the education system aims to develop learners’ moral and intellectual capacity while nurturing future generations’ China’s aspirations.
The second priority focuses on aligning education with strategic national objectives. This priority includes advancing vocational education and fostering deeper integration between technological innovation and industry.
Enhancing the availability of public education also remains a core priority. Efforts will be made to address demographic challenges, i.e., a shrinking population, better allocate educational resources, and prioritize equitable access to quality education, particularly in rural areas, to bridge regional disparities and foster balanced development.
Developing a world-class teaching workforce is another cornerstone of the agenda. Through enhanced training programs and targeted resource investment, the MOE seeks to equip educators to meet evolving educational needs, while fostering an environment that values excellence and innovation in teaching.
Expanding global education partnerships will also take center stage. Strengthening China’s role in international educational governance and fostering cross-border collaboration will showcase the country’s educational innovations and promote global exchange.
The digital transformation of education continues to be a key focus as well. Practical application of cutting-edge technologies will be promoted to enhance the learning and teaching experiences, while further solidifying China’s leadership in digital education.
Finally, ensuring safety and stability within the educational system remains a critical task.
Huai called for a pragmatic and results-driven approach to achieving these priorities. He emphasized the importance of accountability, innovative reform, and leadership capacity to ensure measurable progress. He also urged participants to deepen their commitment to advancing China’s education system while embracing the nation’s broader vision of modernization.
