More work must be done to narrow the educational divide between the nation's eastern and western regions, although much progress has already been made in the battle against illiteracy, sources with the Ministry of Education said on Friday.

Since International Anti-Illiteracy Day, which is marked on September 8, was established in 1990, China has been actively reducing illiteracy in rural and western areas. The number of young and middle-aged (aged 15-50) illiterate people across the country has dropped to an average of 5 per cent from the previous 10 per cent, the ministry's latest statistics indicate.

In its statistics on the global fight against illiteracy, which were released in September this year, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization said, among the 40 surveyed countries, China ranks the first in gaining achievements of eliminating illiteracy.

The remaining 5 per cent of young and middle-aged illiterate people are expected to receive primary and middle school-level education over the next five years, according to the ministry's Department for Basic Education.

Illiteracy and poor education in rural areas have been a longstanding obstacle in China's move from a traditional agrarian nation to a modern industrialized one, according to the ministry.

The ministry will take action to accelerate educational development in rural areas, where 64 per cent of the Chinese population lives, but education is not receiving enough attention.

The central government will spend 6 billion yuan (US$722 million) over the next three years to help western areas revamp old and dangerous school buildings.

It will also set aside special funds to help rural areas build computer-aided teaching facilities, so as to help ease the shortage of teaching staff.

By 2007, cash-strapped students in rural areas will not have to pay for tuition, costs for textbooks and living expenses for boarding schools, according to the ministry.

(China Daily December 8, 2003)