From correspondents in Beijing, China, 08:00 PM IST

China has begun drawing up a 12-year plan for education reform and development, stressing its role in promoting economic development and technology innovation.

The National Science and Technology Education Leading Group under the chairmanship of President Wen Jiabao examined and approved the draft education reform plan Friday .

'It is necessary to make a medium and long-term plan for education reform and development in accordance with the new requirements to build a moderately prosperous society in all respects,' said the plan paper.

It added that reforms are based on 'the new trend of domestic and overseas development and the new expectations of the people'.

It urged education be given priority on the promotion and development of talent in innovative technology. It also stressed the role education in economic development.

There was general agreement at the meeting that the plan should make specific requirements in terms of education scale, structure, quality and goals in different phases and in different regions. Also included are major issues such as the systemic reform of basic, vocational education and college education.

The group would solicit advice from experts, parents and students before drawing up a 'satisfactory' guideline.

(Staff Writer, © IANS)