CHINA aims to greatly improve the science literacy of the nation’s students in the next three to five years through efforts to reform science education in primary and secondary schools, according to a recent guideline.

New technologies such as artificial intelligence and virtual reality will be used to teach students how to perform experiments and bridge the gap in education resources in underdeveloped schools and regions, said the guideline, which was released by the Ministry of Education and 17 other departments.

Local authorities need to make sure that science courses at primary and secondary schools adhere to their syllabuses, and the time used to teach these courses should not be infringed upon by teachers of other subjects.

Meanwhile, each school needs to have a vice principal in charge of science education and a science student counselor.

Schools are encouraged to invite experts and scientists to give lectures on campuses and organize student trips to scientific venues, the guideline said.

Science education will become a core subject in after-school services offered by schools, and activities such as science lectures and experiments will be carried out to spur students’ interest.

Organizations and institutions such as universities, research institutes, science parks and museums are expected to better serve primary and middle school students.

Enterprises, especially those focusing on cutting-edge technology, are also encouraged to offer equipment, software and personnel to schools in underdeveloped regions and invite primary and middle school students to visit and learn how scientific knowledge is used in life, the guideline added.

Meanwhile, engineering and science majors have gained favor among Chinese university students, with AI topping the list of the most popular majors among new undergraduates.

Wei Yungang, director of the experimental education center at Beijing Normal University’s School of Artificial Intelligence, said while first-tier cities offer better science education, resources are lacking at schools in smaller cities and rural areas.

The use of AI and digital education can help less-developed regions gain access to high-quality education materials, Wei said.

“The large amount of data and information gathered in daily classrooms can be analyzed by AI, so we can get a better understanding of how students learn, and how teachers and education authorities can use that knowledge in policymaking,” he said.(China Daily)