China Central Organization Department (CCOD) has recently chosen outstanding courseware programmes through a comparison of teaching courseware for modern distance education for national Party members and cadres which were presented for airing during 2013. On behalf of the Ministry of Education (MOE), China Liaoyuan Radio and TV University (RTVU) submitted 10 programmes for appraisal.

Among them, five programmes received awards, including Junior Plant Protector for Agricultural Plants (1-4), receiving the Level A prize, Junior Vegetable Gardener (1-4), receiving the Level B prize, and three other programmes: Firing Technology of Dehua White Porcelain, Skill Training for Car Mechanics (1-11), and Skill Training for Laundry Men(1-6), each receiving the Level C prize. 

Modern distance education for national Party members and cadres is an important strategy implemented by the CPC Central Committee in accord with current situations and priorities. The primary focus is the dissemination of policies and regulations, ideological and moral education, transmission of science, culture, and skill training for the nationwide development of skilled human resources for Party members, cadres, and the rest of the general population.    

Since the MOE got involved in modern distance education for national Party members and cadres in 2005, it has entrusted the Open University of China (OUC, aka, CCRTVU) with the responsibility of making and broadcasting special teaching materials for the Vocational Skills Training programme of modern distance education for national Party members and cadres. The programme is broadcast for half an hour every day. As the producer, China Liaoyuan RTVU strives to meet the needs of the Education Centre for Party Members under the CCOD and insisted on the driving principle of “practical application”.  It carefully completed the making and broadcasting of teaching materials in accordance with the learning needs and requirements of national Party members and cadres as well as the general population. From 2009 until the present, over 900 hours of programmes have been produced and broadcast. 

By Yang Lizhi, the OUC