Modern
Long-Distance Education
In
1998, the Ministry of Education approved an experiment in modern
long-distance education at Qinghua University, Zhejiang University,
Hunan University and Beijing Posts and Telecommunications University.
In 1999 and early 2000, the experiment was expanded to three other
schools--Beijing University, Central Radio and Television University
and China Accounting Correspondence School run by the Ministry of
Finance. In 1999, the former four universities, the first group
approved for the experiment, enrolled more than 900 students, who
were taught through the Internet, and the Central Radio and Television
University enrolled 40,000 students. Through two years of experiment,
the schools have formed a teaching model via the Internet, and developed
a group of related courses and resources, which played an important
role in promoting the experiment. Besides, the Ministry of Education
has started the Program of Training Tomorrow's Female Teachers,
to train female teachers in primary and middle schools and support
education in poor and western areas. To develop modern long‑distance
education and frame a lifelong educational system the ministry has
earmarked special funds for the Plan for Promoting 21st Century
Education to promote the development of the Cernet trunk network.
Now the 155M experimental line of Cernet connecting Beijing with
Shanghai and Wuhan, and Wuhan with Guangzhou is in operation.
