Sharing of teachers, education resources would assist less-privileged institutions, report Cao Yin in Beijing and Luo Wangshu in Chongqing.

Cai Xiaodong is considering a radical measure. The principal of the Experimental High School attached to Beijing Normal University, a key institution in the Chinese capital, is planning a merger with the nearby, but less-renowned, Beijing Erlonglu Middle School.

"The schools will become an 'education league', sharing teaching resources and management philosophy," Cai said, adding that the move would allow teachers to rotate between the schools and promote educational equality.