Qualified education work should be ensured to support the economic and social developments of Tibet, state councilor Liu Yandong said during an inspection tour to Tibet Autonomous Region.

Liu said local governments should also "exert great efforts" to protect and carry forward the fine Tibetan culture, according to a statement issued on Tuesday by the general office of the State Council.

Tibet should enhance, extend and improve the existing nine-year compulsory education system and build standard boarding schools, Liu said.

It should also expand free secondary vocational education and improve the qualities of teachers, especially those at "grass-roots levels", Liu said.

She also said that more assistance should be provided to education in Tibet, such as sending more teachers and offering distance education.

Industries with local characteristics should be incubated to "actually" utilize science and technology in advancing development in the plateau region and bringing bright lives to local people, Liu said.

During her tour, Liu visited colleges, schools, cultural relics, and research institutes on new energy, agriculture and husbandry.

(Xinhua News Agency August 25, 2009)