On 19 November 2021, Song Lei, deputy director of the Department of Teacher Education of the Ministry of Education (MOE), led a delegation to the Open University of China (OUC) to investigate the work of the OUC School of Teacher Training.  Hu Yang, director of the Department of External Education and Training (Community Centre), its deputy director, Lyu Qian, and heads of relevant departments attended the symposium, which was presided over by Hu Yang.  

During the symposium, the sides held in-depth discussions on directions of construction of the teacher-training programmes, and school leaders reported on its overall work.  

Song Lei praised the educational-enhancement project for rural teachers jointly carried out by the MOE Department of Teacher Education and the OUC, pointing out that, in the context of epidemic-related precautions, the OUC School of Teacher Training should take advantage of the OUC’s school-operations and information-technology resources, and make good use of the Credit Bank system. It should also explore innovative educational and teaching methods for the “new era”.  

He stressed that, by working to enhance the ideological and political awareness of teachers, their professional ethics, and their abilities, the school is expected to develop high-quality teacher-training products, and expand the construction of unique training bases, including the “School of Gong Quanzhen Educational Philosophy and Professional Ethics”. It should explore mechanisms for certification and transformation of learning results for teachers receiving vocational education supported by high-quality course resources, promote their lifelong learning, and aim to achieve both economic and social benefits.  

Hu Yang noted that the OUC School of Teacher Training would further enhance its system, increasing coordination with the rest of the OUC, strengthening integration of high-quality resources from inside and outside the university, and improving the quality and usefulness of its projects.  

Written by He Shi; photo by Wang Hongying, OUC