China is set to complete the curriculum reform in elementary and middle schools nationwide by 2005, Tuesday's China Youth Daily reported.

Experts from educational departments said that it normally takes ten years to update courses and text books in elementary and middle schools in China, but the time span will be shortened to five years in line with the decision made by the State Council.

Some of China's elementary and middle schools have begun using new text books this autumn semester, and new courses and examination systems have been applied as trial experiments.

The new courses include science, history and society, sports and health, art, and comprehensive practical activities.

The new teaching scheme puts emphasis on the comprehensiveness of courses, which strengthens the link between course content and students' lives, according to an official with the Ministry of Education.

According to the ministry's five-year plan, the experiment will first be piloted in 38 cities and counties this year. It is expected that the new courses will be popularized throughout the country by 2005.

(People's Daily 09/12/2001)