China will increase the number and quality of teachers in rural areas in the next five years, according to a State Council plan released on Monday.

The measures include forming multiple channels to select teachers for rural areas, improving the living standards of the teachers, helping them to get more training and setting up a reward system for them, according to the five-year plan.

Xu Tao, director of the Education Ministry's Teacher Education Department, said the plan has the crucial aim of promoting education equality among different regions.