Beijing, home to a number of top universities, will spend 200 million yuan (31.5 mln U.S. dollars) annually to promote the study of Marxism in colleges.

According to a guideline issued by the city government, Beijing will encourage reforms in Marxist research to build “socialist universities with Chinese characteristics.”

Marxism is a compulsory course in college and includes modern Chinese history and political structures, but is underfunded and perceived as indoctrinatory,  leading to student dissatisfaction.

Schools and teachers will be encouraged to base the teaching of Marxism more on practices and real-life experience. It also promised rewards for high-performing young teachers and professors, and better funding for their projects.

*Reported by Xinhua