More than 2,000 officials from 15 central organs are going back to school for at least 40 credits this year, the Chongqing Evening Post reported.

The courses are scattered among seven universities, including Peking University and Tsinghua University. Officials can choose which courses to take from among 42.

"It's better to choose what we need, not what we are required to learn," said Xu Xiaodong, an official from the state industry and commerce administration.

Lectures about Chinese traditional culture and religious philosophy cover nearly 50% of the classes. The philosophy of Zhou Yi, a lecture about policy-making offered by Peking University, has attracted 293 students, making it the most popular couse.

"We'd like to learn something real practical. Teachers must have their own ideas," said the youth league official Zhang Ning, who is enjoying her student's life at People's University of China.

It is reported that 65.6% of the officials hope to study at Peking University.