Premier Li Keqiang met with national model teachers and outstanding rural teachers in Beijing on Sept 8, two days before the nation’s 31st Teacher’s Day.

During the meeting, Premier Li congratulated the educators and expressed his hopes for the educational development of China which has more than 150 million teachers nationwide.

He stressed the importance of education and said that teachers are the most valuable treasures of society.

He said that to improve the quality and level of education teachers should have professional spirit and motivate students to study and explore knowledge and new things.

Qiong Se, a 65-year-old rural teacher from Tibet, offers a khatag, or ceremonial scarf to Premier Li. [Photo/Xinhua]

The government will make a balanced allocation of education resources in urban and rural areas and among regions, offering a fair education to society.

He emphasized that supporting policies should be implemented for rural teachers who offer education to children from poor families.

According to the Premier, the government will continue to support the nation’s education regardless of financial pressures.

Reforms will be carried out in professional title system of elementary and secondary schools and equal importance will be attached to higher education and basic and vocational educations, he noted.

The Premier speaks with Li Yunan, a 76-year-old special-grade teacher, who is still working in school in Jiangsu province.[Photo/China Daily]

The Premier poses for a picture with national model teachers and outstanding rural educators.[Photo/China News Service]