Shanxi Normal University is one of the five oldest universities in Shanxi Province. In 1958 Shanxi Normal University began as a teacher training school, responsible for training teachers throughout the south of Shanxi. After the regulation of the higher education system in 1962, it became the only higher-level teacher training school in the province. In 1964, through collaboration with various departments of
Shanxi University it officially became Shanxi Teachers College. In 1984, it upgraded to a university through the endorsement of the State Education Commission of China. The Shanxi Provincial government decided in 1999 to make the Shanxi Normal University Sports College and the Shanxi Vocational Teachers College part of Shanxi Normal University. == Criticism ==