China will achieve the objectives of gender parity in primary and secondary education outlined in the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) as scheduled, said a senior United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) official in Beijing on Sunday, noting that China has been doing "very well."

"China is on right track to achieve the 2005 and 2015 goals of gender parity in education and we're very optimistic," UNICEF Deputy Executive Director Rima Salah told Xinhua, when attending the Nov. 26-27 global advisory committee meeting of the UN Girls' Education Initiative.

Gender parity in primary and secondary education by 2005, and at all levels of education by 2015, is the key target for ensuring the MDG of gender equality and the empowerment of women as well as a precursor to the goal of achieving universal primary education by 2015.

She confirmed progress China has made in spreading education in its eastern part among girls in particular, saying that UNICEF is discussing with the Chinese government to develop strategies on how to spread education in less developed western part.

"Free education should be advocated," she said when asked how to ensure poor kids' schooling opportunities. "We can give incentives such as scholarships and school feeding free of charge so as to boost education."

(Xinhua News Agency November 28, 2005)