NANNING, Feb. 20 (Xinhua) -- South China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region will spend 55 billion yuan (8.43 billion U.S. dollars) over the next five years to build schools and support students in the underdeveloped region.

There are six provincial regions in China where more than five million people live under the poverty line, with Guangxi being one. Half of the region's jurisdictions are in need of poverty relief.

The local government is keen to treat the root causes of poverty, and it has identified education as a key area.

The education initiative aims to equip students with the skills to prepare them for employment.