Taking the theme of "education serving the development of the countryside," the four-day seminar will stage discussions on a variety of topics and work out plans to boost education in the rural areas.

The development of rural areas is still a serious problem facing developing countries undergoing the modernization process as the poor population and illiterate residents mainly live in villages, Bah Diallo Aicha, an official from the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), told the seminar.

Liu Yongrui, chief of the education department of Hebei Province, said the Chinese government always attaches importance to rural education since 60 percent of its 1.3 billion population live in the countryside. So far, 98 percent of school-age children are able to go to school and the rate of illiteracy is lower than 5 percent.

Over 150 officials from 31 nations and international organizations are participating in the seminar.

(Xinhua News Agency January 21, 2003)