SHANGHAI wants scientific literacy to be the norm.

The city will improve scientific education among young students and build more innovative labs in local schools, according to Vice City Mayor Zhou Bo.

Zhou said the government would encourage schools and social organizations to carry out scientific enlightenment education for pre-school children, and operate more science classes in primary schools, improve the scientific curriculum system and “enhance guidance in explorative study” in middle and high schools.

He said each school in Shanghai would build at least one innovative lab by 2020. The government also encouraged schools to explore sources outside school, such as museums, universities and research institutes to carry out scientific study and practice events, Zhou said.

Last year, Shanghai Education Commission and the Shanghai Science and Technology Committee set up 25 workstations in 13 universities, seven research institutes and a hospital to provide study and practice opportunities for students.

Zhou also said that the government would also optimize resource allocation to balance the quality of scientific education in urban and rural areas.