Unique features

Schools are encouraged to cultivate their own distinctive features to develop a diversified education system in the zone.

Parents and children perform together at GoerKindergarten in the Weifang high-tech zone.

Zhiyuan Primary School offered 10-minute short classes in the morning and early afternoon from Monday to Friday on science fiction.

The school's students have reported outstanding results in model airplane competitions in Shandong province.

Qingping Primary School is keen on developing closer ties with parents so they may play more significant roles in supporting students' studies. The school has provided free lectures to parents to give them more knowledge about their children's education.

"I have learnt to calm down and talk with my daughter when she makes mistakes," said parent Li Ping. "She is willing to share her secrets with me. We now have a closer relationship."

Li said her daughter also reported better academic results.

More funds have been provided to encourage government-operated kindergartens to develop distinctive education programs in recent years. A government-operated kindergarten spent 600 yuan on each child in 2016, increasing from 400 yuan per child the previous year.