Hefei is set to launch a pilot program in primary and high schools in a bid to encourage students to learn through travel.

The pilot plan will involve students getting credits of 2-3 points for a trip. They will be allowed to take time out during term time or in winter or summer holidays.

In order to qualify for the credit points, primary school students below Year 4 will be required to travel for at least one day, junior school students from Year 4 to Year 6 will have to go on a trip lasting one to two days, junior high school students must take a trip of two to three days, and high school students will have to travel for two to seven days.

Though students who go on an overseas trip for 7-15 days will also be eligible for the credit points, the pilot program focuses on local tours within Anhui province and in neighboring provinces, with the aim of offering students a real-world experience of subjects they are taught in school such as history, science, technology, ecology as well as Hui culture.

Travel agencies which arrange tours for students will be required to buy travel insurance for them.

By Huang Pei

Edited by Niva Whyman