An education system catering to ethnic minority students has been proven successful in China, according to the country's ethnic affairs authorities.

The system includes kindergartens, elementary schools, high schools, vocational training and universities.

According to the State Ethnic Affairs Commission, by 2004, there were 21.35 million ethnic students attending elementary schools, high schools and colleges nationwide, up 13.48 percent from 1999. The numbers of those in middle schools and colleges reached 6.76 million and 807,300 the same year, up 31.47 percent and 69.31 percent respectively over those of 1999.

The number of full-time ethnic minority teachers reached about 1.025 million in 2004, up 11.36 percent over that of 1999.

"The ethnic education in China has showed a development trend that is rapid, healthy and coordinated with help and guidance from the governments of different levels," said the commission.

The commission said that as compulsory education has spread through ethnic regions, the scientific and cultural qualities of the residents have improved dramatically.

In 1985, China begun a nationwide program aiming to ensure nine-year compulsory education and eliminate illiteracy among the youthin the country's remote and underdeveloped areas.

By 2004, 474, or 67.8 percent of all the country's 699 autonomous counties have realized the goals, said the commission.