BEIJING, March 3 (Xinhua) -- Chinese colleges and universities should reduce the proportion of required courses on the curriculum so as to give the students more freedom of choice, according to a circular issued by the Ministry of Education (MOE).

    The newly released circular said that boosting the proportion of optional courses will give students opportunities to develop their practical and innovative capabilities.

    It also ordered institutions to give students the opportunity to carry out social investigations, take internships, and said colleges should encourage students to innovate.

    The universities should also encourage students to take courses in other schools by establishing a cross-credit system, the circular said.

    About 1.24 million graduating Chinese college students graduated without jobs in 2006, and the number is likely to be higher this year.

    A survey showed that 52 percent of graduates considered a lack of broad life experience the biggest obstacle in finding work.

    Employers often complain that what graduate job seekers have learnt in school does not match their job requirements.