As the 20th Teacher's Day is coming news came from the Ministry of Education that as their social status is raised continuously teachers' welfare in China has been improved markedly. Being a teacher as a career is becoming more and more attractive. According to statistics since 1984 average annual salaries of teachers in higher education institutes and primary and middle schools have increased 17.8 times and 10.9 times respectively during the 20 years.

At the beginning of the Opening Up teachers' average salary level remained between the last one and the third last one in 12 of the trades in the national economy. With the Party's and central government's attention and concern teacher's welfare at various levels has improved markedly. In 2003 average annual salary of teachers in higher education institutes has exceeded 23,300 yuan, 2,261 yuan higher than in 2002 and about 22,100 yuan higher than in 1985. The salaries of primary and middle school teachers also increased considerably. In 2003 average annual salary of primary and middle school teachers was 13,300 yuan, 652 yuan higher than in 2002 and about 12,200 yuan higher than in 1985.

By People's Daily Online