Innovation-driven education seen as blueprint for the future

Researchers, government officials and educationalists from around the world gathered in Beijing during the weekend to discuss theories and cases of innovation-driven education.

The Learners' Innovation Forum for Education, organized by the 21st Century Education Research Institute and other partners, invited researchers and teachers to share cases, discuss future talent needs and global trends in education innovation.

Yang Dongping, director of the 21st Century Education Research Institute, said the forum attempted to create a communication platform for professionals.

"We are looking for solutions in education innovation," Yang said, hoping communication could drive changes.

Educationalists including Dou Guimei, head of Peking University's affiliated primary school and Liu Xiya, principal of Chongqing's Xiejiawan Primary School, shared their curricula reform cases.

International experts, including Stavros N. Yiannouka, CEO of the World Innovation Summit for Education and Andreas Schleicher, special adviser for education at the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, shared their views of education equality and innovation.

The forum also conducted research on teachers' attitudes toward education innovation and found more than 85 percent are looking for change, but nearly 50 percent said it is difficult to innovate under their current heavy work load.