Hangzhou launches a series of policies to improve the treatment of its teachers at a news conference on Jan 17. [Photo/zj.zjol.com.cn]

Hangzhou will increase the salary of its teachers, putting it above the average income for civil servants in Hangzhou, according to 22 guidelines released by the Hangzhou education authority at a briefing conference on Jan 17.

According to the news conference, the income of primary and middle school teachers in Hangzhou should keep pace with that of the city's civil servants.

Officials said that Hangzhou aims to become the first Chinese city with a teaching salary higher than the civil servant salary.

Other preferential policies for teachers were also stipulated in the guidelines.

The guidelines stated that Hangzhou will further improve the allowances of head teachers, outstanding teachers and teachers working in rural areas. 

The city will also increase affordable houses and dormitories for teachers. 

According to the guidelines, teachers who have worked for 30 years will receive certificates of honor, which will allow them to take public transit and travel in government-funded parks and museums for free. 

Those who have worked as head teachers for more than 20 years will receive 50,000 yuan ($7,290) in subsidies.

Hangzhou will intensify efforts to train high-caliber teachers and headmasters. Over the next five years, it plans to train 1,000 excellent teachers below the age of 35 who will receive additional subsidies. 

Other plans rolled out in the guidelines include improving the access threshold of teachers, optimizing the evaluation and management system for teachers, promoting the development of education in a balanced way, enhancing training for teachers and improving the social status of teachers. 

According to the guidelines, the overall quality of teachers in Hangzhou should be at the national first-class level by 2035.