A consultation on teaching qualification test in Shanghai attracted residents in the East China metropolis on Monday. This is the first time the city has begun to enroll non-teacher profession employees.

Before that, such tests are only open to students at normal schools and teachers. Teachers are mostly enrolled from among normal school or normal university graduates.

From now on, people with Chinese nationality can apply for the tests which will be held twice a year. Qualification test in Shanghai will end in January and reopen in March.

(China Daily December 26, 2001)