Students jump rope at a school in Nantong. [Photo provided by Zhou Qiang to en.nantong.gov.cn]

The information office of the Nantong municipal government recently held a press conference to introduce the city's educational achievements during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-25).

Between 2021 and 2025, Nantong allocated over 128 billion yuan ($18.11 billion) to education, leading to a net increase of 55 schools and 75,000 student places. During this period, 86 new or renovated public kindergartens were completed, with 51 percent offering nursery classes, exceeding provincial targets. The enrollment rate for children with disabilities in compulsory education hit 100 percent.

During the 14th Five-Year Plan period, 44 primary and secondary schools in Nantong were renovated and expanded, and air conditioning and electrical upgrades were carried out in 280 schools, achieving full air conditioning coverage in educational facilities.

The city added seven high schools, four private vocational schools, and one higher vocational institution from 2021 to 2025. By 2024, the average education level of the working-age population reached 11.65 years. Each community education center in local towns or subdistricts has established schools for the elderly.

Nantong has expanded its international educational exchanges by forming sister school partnerships with 169 overseas institutions and 45 Chinese language schools during the period. Jiangsu's first Sino-Italy cooperative educational institution, Siena College of Future Biotechnology at Nantong University, was officially established. The city also launched a vocational education overseas initiative, encouraging the joint establishment of Zhenghe College by schools and enterprises.

Looking ahead to the next five years, Nantong plans to develop a high-quality education system that emphasizes the integrated growth of education, technology, and talent, injecting stronger educational momentum into local economic and social development.