The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) will start a "Teach for China" program in February 2009 when Chinese colleges commence a new semester, program chief Yu Wei said on Saturday.

The program will be run by the UNESCO's International Research and Training Center for Rural Education (INRULED).

The INRULED will enroll the first group of 12 university graduates, who are expected to teach for two years in elementary and high schools in backward rural areas as well as schools for children of migrant workers in cities.

Applicants have to go through procedures such as written test, interview and role play, she said. The chosen candidates will be trained from July to August in terms of educational theory, teaching practice, psychology and rural development, among others.

In 2010, the program will expand its recruitment to 30 graduates.

The Chen Yet-Sen Family Foundation of China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region will finance the program at its initial stage, according to Yu.

(Xinhua News Agency December 7, 2008)