A national forum on the development of private education is due to be held in Nanjing, capital of east China's Jiangsu Province, from Oct. 10 to 14.

The forum, the first of the kind, is designed to help implement the Private Education Promotion Law, which was adopted by the Standing Committee of the Ninth National People's Congress (NPC)on Dec. 28, 2002. The law will become effective on Sept. 1 this year.

The forum, initiated by four organizations, including the China Central Institute of Educational Science, will feature discussions on specialist topics and exhibitions showcasing achievements inprivate education, said organizers.

According to breakdowns in 2002, there were 61,300 private educational undertakings across China, including 1,335 privateinstitutions of higher learning, 1,085 vocational secondary schools, as well as 10,484 private primary and middle schools.

(Xinhua News Agency July 22, 2003)