BEIJING -- The Ministry of Education (MOE) and the State Council Leading Group Office of Poverty Alleviation and Development recently released a work plan to support compulsory education and promote education poverty alleviation, the MOE said Thursday.

According to the plan, children of school age from impoverished families should not drop out of school and should be guaranteed affordable education.

The causes of students dropping out will be analyzed and targeted assistance will be provided, the plan says.

It also stresses improving the conditions of schools in poor areas, promoting the use of information technology in education, providing support to rural teachers and improving the nutritional conditions of rural students undergoing compulsory education.