About 10,000 teachers' college students will receive targeted training annually starting this year, in a bid to improve the performance of primary and middle school teachers in underdeveloped areas in China's central and western regions, according to a recent plan. The special training will be conducted by six normal universities directly under the Ministry of Education (MOE) and local-level normal colleges for schools in counties that emerged from poverty and along the land borders, says the plan released by nine departments including MOE and the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee.

教育部、中央宣传部等九部门近日印发《中西部欠发达地区优秀教师定向培养计划》，从2021年起，将每年为脱贫县和中西部陆地边境县中小学校培养1万名左右师范生，从源头上改善中西部欠发达地区中小学教师队伍质量。优师专项培养任务由教育部6所直属师范大学和地方师范院校联合承担。

The students should make a pledge to return to serve in primary and middle schools in designated counties for at least six years, the plan says.

国家优师专项师范生要承诺毕业后到生源所在省份定向县中小学履约任教不少于6年。

Students enrolled in the plan will be exempt from tuition and accommodation fees and will receive living subsidies.

优师计划师范生在校学习期间免除学费，免缴住宿费，并补助生活费。