Traditional Chinese medicine education has been made part of the primary school curriculum in Zhejiang province, a decision that has provoked heated discussion online.

The province has published the country's first Chinese medicine textbook for primary school students, and according to the plan issued by the provincial education authority, fifth graders will learn about TCM starting this semester.

The two-volume textbook consists of 36 sessions and students have to take one course every week within two semesters, Fang Jianqiao, chief editor of the textbook and head of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University, was quoted as saying in Qianjiang Evening News.