Seminar urges rethink on academic focus

Experts discuss reforms targeted at innovation for modernization

Educators and experts gathered in Beijing over the weekend to discuss moving the focus of basic education in China away from solely achieving academic results, to training innovative students and supplying enough talented workers to fuel China's modernization goals.

Li Yi, director of the Beijing Municipal Education Commission, said at the conference the "future is not far off ".

"When we talk about our country in 2035 and even 2050, the backbone of society is now sitting in school," he said, referring to timelines set by central authorities to construct China into a socialist modern country.

"To achieve that purpose, do we still need homework? Exams? We need to streamline our education without compromising the quality of schooling," said the director, adding that in the future a talented person will not only excel in most things, but also have great potential in a very specific field.

Li made the remarks on Sunday at the 10th Beijing Academy Seminar — Design Ideal Future Schools, a two-day event held at the school.