A special “credit bank” where students can deposit their academic achievements and convert them into corresponding course credits and non-academic certificates has been set up in southwest China’s Chongqing municipality, in a bid to encourage vocational training and foster the habit of lifelong learning.

Local residents learn knowledge at the Yangjiaping community in Chongqing. (Photo/People’s Daily)

Shao Taotao, a teacher with 15 years’ experience in early childhood education, was frustrated when she received the evaluation: ”Your professional competence is not weak.” She was concerned that her educational background could become the only barrier to her career development.

While taking an adult education course at Chongqing Radio and TV University, Shao found out by chance that the qualifications she obtained during her work can be deposited into the “credit bank” and converted into corresponding credits after certification.

"These credits can be used to offset the corresponding courses and improve my learning efficiency," said Shao, noting that "more importantly, it will encourage me to keep learning."

Students can deposit the achievements made during their studies in the "credit bank", whose management center is located at Chongqing Radio and TV University, as savings and convert them into course credits and qualification certificates.

To "open an account" and obtain the relevant learning outcomes, students have to go to the website of the Chongqing Academic Credit Bank for Lifelong Learning, click the "Add results" button and upload their corresponding qualification certificates, and post training experience and proof of online course attendance.

"Within 15 working days, the certification results will come out." Shao Taotao went on to explain that as she never stopped learning after graduation, the kindergarten principal qualification certificate she obtained in the past can now be converted into credits for the "teaching and research work management" course in her preschool education major.

Meanwhile, Shao’s preschool teacher qualification certificate can also be converted into credits for the "children's game activity design and organization” course.

"Your formal school record is no longer the only criterion for measuring talent, as knowledge, skills and abilities acquired can be certified and transferred into the credit bank," stressed Wu Nanzhong, deputy director of the management center of the Chongqing Academic Credit Bank for Lifelong Learning.