China has the largest education system in the world. In June 2023, there were 12.91 million students taking the National Higher Education Entrance Examination (Gao Kao) in China. International students have enrolled in over 1000 higher education institutions throughout the country. Investment in education accounts for about 4% of total GDP in China. In 1986, the Chinese government passed a compulsory education law, making nine years of education mandatory for all Chinese children. Today, the Ministry of Education estimates that above 99 percent of the school-age children have received universal nine-year basic education.
China has improved the quality of education through a major effort at school curriculum and other reforms. China's Education Modernization 2035 plan is launched to set the direction for the development of the education sector from “capacity” to “quality”, and that the modernization of education should support the modernization of China.
The Ministry of Education has launched a pilot education program which will allow 36 top universities in China including Peking, Tsinghua and Fudan University, to select outstanding high school graduates who are willing to serve the country's major strategic needs. Under the program, known as the Strong Base Plan, the universities will focus on enrollment in majors such as mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology that have been proved unpopular with students in recent years. Many students prefer to study in majors for high paying careers.
History of Education in China
Many Chinese scholars believe the history of education in China can be traced back at as far as the 16th century BC. Throughout this period of time, education was the privilege of the elites. Confucianism probably is the biggest influence in history of education in China.
Project 211 and 985
Project 211 is the Chinese government's new endeavor aimed at strengthening about 100 universities and key disciplinary areas as a national priority for the 21st century. Project 985 is a constructive project for founding world-class universities in the 21st century.
Education Law of the People's Republic of China
Adopted at the third session of the eighth National People's Congress, promulgated by Order No.45 of the President of the People's Republic of China on March 18, 1995 and effective as of September 1, 1995.
Nine-Year Compulsory Education in China
Nine-year compulsory education policy in China enables students over six years old nationwide to have free education at both primary schools (grade 1 to 6) and junior secondary schools (grade 7 to 9). The policy is funded by government, tuition is free. Schools still charge miscellaneous fees. Senior secondary school (grade 10 to 12) and college education are not compulsory and free in China.
China's Education Modernization 2035
Number of International Students in China
International Communication
Higher Education Law of China
Compulsory Education Law of China
Vocational Education Law of China
Teachers Law of China
Law on the Standard Spoken and Written Chinese Language of China
Law on the Promotion of Non-public Schools of China
Regulations on Academic Degrees of the People’s Republic of China
Education System in China
Pre-school Education in China
Pre-school education is an important component of education cause in China. In urban areas, it is mainly kindergartens of 3 years, two years or one year which could be full time part-time, boarding or hour-reckoned.
Primary and Secondary Education in China
Since the promulgation of the "Compulsory Education Law of the People's Republic of China" in 1986, the 9-year compulsory education has been implemented by governments at various levels and made significant progress.
Higher Education in China
Higher education in China has played an important role in the economic construction, science progress and social development by bringing up large scale of advanced talents and experts for the construction of socialist modernization.
Teacher Development in China
China has a consistent teacher development system. Teaching has historically been and remains today a highly respected profession in China. Teachers have strong preparation in their subject matter and prospective teachers spend a great deal of time observing the classrooms of experienced teachers, often in schools attached to their universities. Once teachers are employed in school, there is a system of induction and continuous professional development in which groups of teachers work together with master teachers on lesson plans and improvement.
FAQs
The Chinese educational structure provides for six years of primary school, three years each of lower secondary school and upper secondary school, and four years in the standard university curriculum. All urban schools are financed by the state, while rural schools depend more heavily on their own financial resources.
Is China's education system good or bad? ›
That effort by the Paris-based Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) is the best-known measure of school quality in different countries. In 2018, China was No. 1 in all three subjects tested, mathematics, science and reading.
What do Chinese believe about education? ›
Schooling in China is often considered an important and effective way of raising one's social and economic status. Success in public examinations, for instance, the National University Entrance Examination, means that one can expect a better career with security and high income after graduation from university.
What is the conclusion of the education system in China? ›
Conclusion. Education in China is advanced and is carefully regulated by the State Education Commission and the Ministry of Education. Attending school for nine years is mandatory for every Chinese citizen.
Why China is best for education? ›
Chinese universities are renowned for their excellence in science, technology engineering and math. Recently, Chinese schools have been ranked some of the best in the world for science and math. There are several great colleges in China, with each province having their share of great colleges.
What is education in Chinese? ›
(schooling, teaching) 教育 [jiàoyù]
What is the problem of education in China? ›
Rural students are not getting equal access to education compared to their urban counterparts, which could leave the country's future generation without the necessary skills to contribute to the economy, according to a section of the report focusing on potential risks to China's future economic competitiveness.
How hard is education in China? ›
Nonetheless, the Chinese education system is still one of the most rigorous and esteemed education systems in the world. Millions of young students work hard and study every day with the belief that education is the golden ticket to a better life.
Is China's education system hard? ›
The Chinese education system is without a doubt the most competitive in the world. Every year, nearly 10 million students take the Gaokao, the gruelling two- or three-day end-of-school exam that determines which universities students can gain admission to, and what direction their careers and futures may take.
How long is a school day in China? ›
The school days usually last a whole day (from around 8:00 until 17:00) with 45-minutes-long classes, with a little more flexible schedules in more rural areas. In China's metropolises, where lunch breaks are shorter, kids might finish school around 15:00 as well.
Nine-year compulsory education policy in China enables students over six years old nationwide to get free education at both primary schools (grade 1 to 6) and junior secondary schools (grade 7 to 9). The policy is funded by government and tuition is free.
Does China have equal education? ›
The Compulsory Education Law of the PRC has guaranteed the right of school-age children to receive compulsory education, but due to the dominant role of market mechanism, educational resources tend to gather in geographically advantageous areas, leading to regional inequality in education, which is mainly manifested as ...
How has China's education improved? ›
The Chinese education system is the largest state-run education system in the world. Its quality has improved considerably over the last decades due to continuous reforms and large-scale investments.
How is the education system managed in China? ›
China has set up an education system with government as the major investor and social partners as co-investors. In current stage, local government is playing a key role in compulsory education, while central and provincial government are dominant in higher education.
Which country has the best education system? ›
1. United States of America. The United States has the best education system in the world. A significant number of international students, totalling 1,057,000, have been enrolled in universities in the USA last year.
What was the main focus of education in ancient China? ›
In Ancient China, the cultivation of scholar-officials, men of virtue, and sages was the primary goal of education. To train future members of the ruling class, moral integrity and the ability to govern were stressed (Gu, Li, & Wang, 2009).
Where does China stand in education? ›
China consistently ranks highly in global education assessments. As per the latest PISA and TIMSS results, China's students top the charts in several categories, particularly in mathematics and science.
What is the basic education curriculum framework in China? ›
The Chinese National Curriculum covers primary, lower secondary and senior secondary school, and is split into eight “learning domains”, which are as follows: Language and Literature. Mathematics. Natural Science.
How has education in China changed over time? ›
By 2015, more than 15% of adults had college degrees. The growth in college educational opportunities has been particularly large for those born in the 1980s. As of 2020, 54% of China's college-aged population was enrolled in college. In 1991, the CCP launched the nationwide Patriotic Education Campaign.
