A raft of proposals was put forward to shine a light on youth development, by six NPC deputies from Jiangsu province in Beijing during the two sessions.

Jiang Yuxia, NPC deputy and principal of a kindergarten in Nanjing, suggested that the treatment of animals should be included in moral education for primary and middle school students.

“Animal mistreatment and even killings have cropped up in public places, exerting a negative impact on youths’ minds, and we must prevent this phenomenon from getting worse,” Jiang said.

Cui Tiejun, NPC deputy from Southeast University, proposed that Chinese stories or tales should be told instead of existing westernized stories in textbooks to display traditional virtues.

“We are not opposed to positive western stories, it is just that Chinese stories be told in favor,” Cui Tiejun said.

Cui Xiangqun, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Science, advocated that a modern planetarium should be set up in Nanjing for the benefit of young students.

“As one of the centers for astronomical research, Nanjing needs a planetarium more than ever,” Cui Xiangqun said.

The number of recommended admissions to colleges should increase to ease the burden of students, said Zhu Shanping, director of the Office of Education Research at Nanjing Foreign Language School.

He Jianzhong, NPC deputy from Taixing city, advised that great efforts should be made to improve the moral awareness of primary and middle school students, including opening patriotism bases for students and organizing related activities on major festivals.

Xu Anbi, suggested that teaching English should be put off until later to lessen pressures on primary school students.

“Primary students should begin learning English in fifth grade,” Xu said.