BEIJING, Aug. 31 (Xinhua) -- Education should be developed as a priority to help train more professional and skilled people for building a moderately prosperous society and propelling socialist modernization, said Chinese President Hu Jintao on Friday.

At a seminar in the Huairen Hall in Zhongnanhai, the compound where China's leaders work and live, Hu discussed the educational development strategy with more than 100 model teachers from around the country.

After hearing their opinions and suggestions, Hu expressed his appreciation and greetings on behalf of the Communist Party of China and the government. China will mark its 23rd Teachers' Day on Sept. 10.

"You are the excellent representatives of all teachers in China. With the nation and people in mind, you have set good examples with your silent and selfless sacrifice in your careers," Hu told the teachers.

Education was the basic way of raising moral standards as well as cultural and scientific levels, he said, ordering further determination and more funding to ensure compulsory education, promote vocational education and raise the quality of higher education.

Equality in education should be set as a basic state policy to shorten the gap in educational standards between urban and rural areas, he said.

He called on the public to show more respect to teachers so their enthusiasm, initiative and creativity will be fully developed.

He also encouraged more young people to teach in the countryside, remote areas and places where teachers are needed most.

Premier Wen Jiabao, Vice President Zeng Qinghong, and Li Changchun, who are members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, also attended the seminar.