Chinese government plans to let general schools teach more painting, music and dance, as part of its efforts to improve the comprehensive quality of Chinese students, according to an official from the Ministry of Education.

The official confessed that art education has been neglected in China due to lack of sufficient, qualified teachers majoring in painting, music and dance.

Yang Li, deputy director of the ministry's department of sport, health and art education, made the remarks recently at a news conference on the launching of an art performance and exhibition organized by the education committee of Changzhou City, Jiangsu Province.

Yang spoke highly of the ability of Changzhou's education sector to hold such high-level art shows, calling it a result of the city's efforts to implement the central government's policy of improving the overall quality of students.

According to Wang Heming, director of the municipal education committee, Changzhou boasts a history of over 2,500 years and in recent years, the local government has attached great importance to quality education.

Local schools in Changzhou has a tradition of teaching students learn more about art, science, sports or foreign language, the official said. Art courses have opened in all local elementary and middle schools and higher learning institutions in Changzhou, he said.

To learn art or other specialties in addition to compulsory subjects will not affect the students' normal study. On the contrary, they will instill more curiosity and confidence in the students, Wang noted.