China seeks more students to study maths and science subjects to ‘serve country’s strategic demands’
- Education ministry’s Strong Base Plan aims to boost numbers taking courses that will help boost country’s development and security
- ‘Basic’ subjects have been unpopular with students, who want degrees that will boost their future earning potential
China has launched a new education plan to encourage elite students to study “basic” subjects to improve the country’s science and technology capabilities.
According to the Strong Base Plan released by the Ministry of Education on Wednesday, 36 leading Chinese universities – including Peking, Tsinghua and Fudan – will select outstanding high-school graduates who are “willing to serve the country’s significant strategic demands”.
Many of these subjects – such as mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology – have proved unpopular with students who prefer majors such as computing and finance that will improve their earning potential after graduation.
The ministry said the plan would focus on “preparing students for areas including high-end chips and software, intelligence in science and technology, new materials, advanced production and state security”.
It will also try to increase the numbers studying humanities subjects such as philosophy, history and ancient Chinese.
