Chinese education authorities said they are going to remove obstacles preventing children of migrant workers from taking the college entrance examination (gaokao) in their city of residence.

Du Yubo, vice minister of education, said in a news briefing that during the next five-year plan period (2011-2015) the ministry will remove obstacles preventing children of migrant workers from taking the college entrance examination (gaokao) in their city of residence.

According to the current regulations, children of migrants have to return to their hometowns to take the college entrance exam. This puts them at a disadvantage with other students in their hometowns because they have often followed completely different courses of study.

"Resolving this problem is not just an educational issue, it involves many other issues such as urban-rural integration, reform of the household registration system, and city management," Du said. "We will work together with other ministries and provincial education departments to find the best solution."

Du also said the ministry will this year publish plans to reform the exam to encourage the training of personnel in a more scientific approach.

"China will also continue to increase investment in education, to ensure that by 2012 education spending will account for 4 percent of gross domestic product," Du added.