Construction work on Maoming Binhai School, affiliated to the Guangzhou-based South China Normal University (SCNU), started in Binhai New Area, Maoming on Jan 6.

The commencement ceremony of the Maoming Binhai School, affiliated to the Guangzhou-based South China Normal University, is carried out in Binhai New Area, Maoming, on Jan 6. [Photo/WeChat account: longyanzb]

The school is being jointly built by SCNU, the Binhai New Area administration committee, and Guangzhou Huahai Culture Development Co Ltd. It will cover an area of more than 312 mu (20.8 hectares), and is being built with an investment of nearly 1.36 billion yuan ($210.29 million).

The school plans to have 54 classes in the elementary school stage, 48 classes in the junior middle school stage, as well as 90 classes for senior school education, providing places for about 9,300 students. It is scheduled to open in September.

Construction of this school marks an important milestone in promoting Binhai New Area's "education first" development strategy, said Zhao Guanghui, secretary of the Party Working Committee of Binhai New Area.

After completion, it will provide a large number of high-quality educational resources to boost the area's social and economic development, added Zhao.

According to Yang Andui, executive vice mayor of Maoming, the start of the construction of the SCNU Maoming Binhai School will add new vitality to the social and economic development of Binhai New Area, bring new dynamism to its education sector, and create a new hub of education in Maoming.

It will attract more high-quality enterprises to invest in Maoming, as well as drawing more high-level talents to settle in the city, which in turn will play an important role in enhancing the city's comprehensive strength and improving its urban functions, said Yang.