Last Updated on November 28, 2021
In China, the compulsory education system mandates that every student complete nine years of primary, secondary and higher education. After this, students can progress to vocational secondary school or upper-secondary schools. Depending on the state, the educational system in China is more or less similar to the one in the West, but some major differences are still visible. For instance, in the North, only one in ten high school graduates make it to a top university.
There are three levels of higher education: kindergarten, elementary and secondary schools. These levels are divided into four levels: preschool, part-time and full-time elementary and secondary schools. In addition, there are professional middle and higher-level institutions that provide specialized training for professionals in the workplace. Some provinces have their own school boards and require examinations in natural sciences. In contrast, the new educational system in China is regulated by different laws.
During the Mao era, “key schools” were designated as the top institutions for educating Chinese students. They were also subsidized by the state, attracting the best teachers. During Deng’s rule, the centralized government turned attention to quality issues and spread superior education methods. After the introduction of the 3+3 model, key schools became a national model for education and training. Afterward, the government started paying attention to quality issues as well, and the country began to see results in the quality of students’ schooling.
Although the government has increased funding for public schools, there are some major gaps in quality. The first is the fact that not all institutions award degrees. Many only have the capacity to issue certificates, while others are merely research institutes. There are 257 independent colleges in China that grant degrees. Most of these institutions offer more professional programs and have lower admission standards. Moreover, there are some institutions that only award non-degree qualifications and are affiliated with their mother universities.
The Chinese education system is a hybrid of public and private. The state is responsible for establishing educational standards. This means that the government does not want to educate students who are not capable of understanding the basic concepts of the subject. The state wants the country to have more intellectuals, and the government will provide them with a good education. The three+1+2 system will help students earn a living while they’re in school. And it will also create a larger class size.
In addition to private schools, there are many public schools in China. Some of them offer free or cheap education. However, the government does not make this possible for all of its citizens. It is mainly responsible for improving the quality of public schools. The state is also responsible for ensuring that teachers have the appropriate training. These efforts should not be slowed down by the political system. Instead, the government should focus on increasing access to education.
In 2016, only a handful of foreign students entered Chinese universities. This limited access to higher education is one of the reasons why migrant workers prefer to return home to study. This is also an advantage for foreign students. The international education system in China has helped them improve their social and professional networks. The CCP has implemented a national curriculum that is based on Western values. This is essential for a successful career and a better quality of life.
The hukou system is another reason for the inequality of educational access. The quota system in China allows students from smaller towns and provinces to advance in higher education. In contrast, those from wealthy areas can attend better universities than those from rural regions. Nevertheless, the quota system in China makes this difficult. Therefore, many students complain that the quota system is unfair. They are unable to access state services in the country.
While private schools in China are not required to run their own schools, public institutions must rely on the various sectors of society. These include local governments. Some private enterprises should rely on the government to conduct education in the city, while others should rely on different sectors of society. The zhongkao has become an important benchmark in the Chinese education system. It is a standard of academic achievement that distinguishes the best from the worst.