It has been learned that recently, the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Finance jointly issued the “Notice on Implementing the 2025 Teacher Special Program under the Talent Support Program for Designated Regions” (hereinafter referred to as the “Notice”), which deploys the implementation of the 2025 teacher special program under the talent support program for designated regions (Tibet Autonomous Region, Tibetan areas in Qinghai, Sichuan, Yunnan, and Gansu provinces, and the four prefectures in southern Xinjiang).

The Notice states that for the 2025-2026 academic year, a total of 13,606 teachers are planned to be selected nationwide, including 5,847 for junior high schools, 7,547 for primary schools, and 212 for kindergartens. The selected teachers will mainly be allocated by various provinces (autonomous regions, municipalities) and the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps within their respective administrative regions, mobilizing high-quality teacher resources from provincial capitals, central cities, and non-assisted counties to support assisted counties within the province. The implementation scope continues to focus on formerly impoverished areas (originally state-designated contiguous impoverished areas, national key counties for poverty alleviation and development, provincial key counties for poverty alleviation and development, and other deep poverty areas identified by various regions, as well as impoverished regimental farms of the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps), with priority given to national key counties for rural revitalization and areas such as the “Three Regions and Three Prefectures”.

Regarding selection requirements, in principle, backbone teachers with intermediate or higher professional technical positions should be selected, with conditions for kindergarten teachers appropriately relaxed. School administrators should have strong organizational leadership skills and rich school management experience. The teaching assistance period is generally one year, providing full-time services to assisted areas, with encouragement for extending the assistance period or continuing to work. College student internship teaching assistance and the special post teacher program for rural compulsory education schools are not included in the selection scope. Short-term grassroots lecture tours and teaching assistance, as well as teachers in their probation period, are also not included.

Regarding selection methods, encouraging the selection of teachers and education administrators in “group-style” formations. Full-time teachers mainly undertake subject teaching and class management tasks, organize teaching research activities, and conduct professional training and teaching guidance; at the same time, fully leveraging the exemplary role of backbone teachers to form teaching teams with local teachers, promoting the overall improvement of teaching quality and educational management capabilities in assisted schools.

The Notice further emphasizes improving policies and funding guarantees to ensure that teaching assistance teachers can teach with peace of mind and enthusiasm. Teachers selected for assistance in designated regions will retain their personnel relationships with their original units during the assistance period and return to their original units after completion. Their original salary and benefits remain unchanged, with monthly work subsidies and transportation travel expenses provided. Their teaching assistance experience is considered equivalent to urban teachers’ work experience in rural education. The funding for teacher selection work in assisted counties’ compulsory education stage is jointly shared by central and local finance at a standard of 20,000 yuan per person per year.

Tibet Autonomous Region

The Tibet Autonomous Region is a high-altitude plateau in China, historically known as the center of Tibetan Buddhism and the former seat of the Dalai Lamas. It was incorporated into the People’s Republic of China in the 1950s, which remains a subject of international debate. Today, it is an autonomous region within China, known for its unique cultural heritage and Himalayan landscapes.

Qinghai

Qinghai is a province in northwestern China named after Qinghai Lake, the country’s largest inland saltwater lake. Historically, it was a key corridor for the ancient Silk Road’s southern route and has long been a crossroads for Tibetan, Mongol, and Han Chinese cultures. Today, it is known for its high-altitude landscapes, Tibetan Buddhist monasteries, and unique ethnic diversity.

Sichuan

Sichuan is a southwestern Chinese province renowned for its distinctive and spicy cuisine, as well as its picturesque landscapes, including the famous Jiuzhaigou Valley. Historically, it was the location of the ancient Shu and Ba kingdoms and later became a major cultural and economic center, particularly after its integration into China during the Qin Dynasty. The province is also globally significant as the home of the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, dedicated to the conservation of the iconic giant panda.

Yunnan

Yunnan is a province in southwestern China renowned for its dramatic natural landscapes, including deep river gorges, towering mountains, and rich biodiversity. Historically, it was a key hub on the ancient Southern Silk Road, facilitating trade and cultural exchange for centuries. The region is also celebrated for its remarkable ethnic diversity, being home to 25 of China’s 55 officially recognized ethnic minority groups.

Gansu

Gansu is a province in northwest China historically known as the Hexi Corridor, a crucial segment of the ancient Silk Road. Its strategic location fostered a rich cultural exchange for centuries, leaving behind famous sites like the Mogao Caves, a UNESCO World Heritage site containing Buddhist art spanning a millennium. The province is also renowned for its dramatic and diverse landscapes, which range from the Gobi Desert to the colorful Danxia landforms.

Xinjiang

Xinjiang is a vast autonomous region in northwestern China known for its diverse ethnic groups, including the Uyghur people, and its striking landscapes ranging from deserts to mountains. Historically, it was a key hub along the ancient Silk Road, facilitating trade and cultural exchange between East and West. Today, it remains a region of significant economic and geopolitical importance to China, though it has also been the focus of international attention due to reports of human rights concerns.

Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps

The Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps (XPCC) is a unique state-owned economic and paramilitary organization in China’s Xinjiang region. It was founded in 1954 with demobilized PLA soldiers to develop frontier lands and bolster border security. The XPCC plays a major role in the region’s agriculture, industry, and social services, operating with a high degree of autonomy.

Three Regions and Three Prefectures

“Three Regions and Three Prefectures” is a Chinese government designation for six impoverished, predominantly Tibetan areas in the provinces of Sichuan, Yunnan, and Qinghai, as well as the Tibet Autonomous Region. Historically, these remote, high-altitude regions have faced significant economic challenges and development gaps. The term is central to a major national poverty alleviation campaign aimed at improving infrastructure and living standards in these areas.