China to reform payment system for teachers in compulsory schools

BEIJING, Dec. 21 (Chinese media) -- China will adopt a new

payment system for teachers working in compulsory education, to ensure that

these teachers are paid according to their performance, while their average pay

will not be lower than that of civil servants.

At a recent executive meeting, the State Council

approved a document on the implementation of the results-and-performance-linked

payment in schools of compulsory education. Premier Wen Jiabao presided over the

meeting.

According to the meeting, the reform is aimed to

attract and encourage excellent talents to working in the educational field for

life, so as to promote the country's educational undertakings.

The new policy will be launched beginning Jan. 1,

2009.

Meanwhile, the government will give subsidies to

retired teachers from schools of compulsory education.

The payment reform will be combined with the

deepening of reforms on personnel management, funding and fee collection, and

financial management in compulsory schools.

The central government will give due assistance to

the reform, while provincial governments will prepare the funds. County-level

governments will be responsible for carrying out the reform.