All of China's middle and primary school principals are now required to obtain a qualification certificate, according to a regulation issued recently by the Ministry of Education (MOE).

The regulation also states that principals must receive training every five years during their tenure, otherwise, they will not be permitted to continue in their position, today's Guangming Daily reports.

One MOE official noted that there is much room for improvement in the quality of the nation's school principals.

The principals' training will stress quality-oriented education and improving their overall level of competence.

The MOE official disclosed that the ministry will strengthen training, institute reforms, upgrade training material, and reform the system whereby principals are employed.