China’s Education System: A Comprehensive Overview
China’s Education System
Until the 1980s, education in China was primarily public. It is currently managed by the Ministry of Education. All citizens are required to attend school for a minimum of nine years, funded by the government. This includes six years of primary education, starting at age six or seven, and three years of middle school for ages 12 to 15. In some provinces, the structure is five years of primary school and four years of middle school. Following middle school, students complete three years of high school, completing their secondary education.
Higher Education in China
In 2003, there were 1,552 institutions of higher learning (colleges and universities) with 725,000 teachers and 11 million students. China has also become a popular destination for international students. Since 2013, China has been the most popular country in Asia for international students and ranks third globally.
After the 1980s, when private schools were first permitted, private education has grown significantly, especially since 1999. In 2006, private universities accounted for approximately 6% of student enrollments.
The C9 League
In 2009, the nine most prestigious universities in China formed an alliance called the C9 League. The goal of the C9 League is to advance the Chinese higher education system by fostering collaboration, improving student quality, and sharing resources such as campuses and teachers. The government and society have embraced the objective of the C9 League, which is to create world-class universities.
Primary Schools
Children typically enter primary school at age seven, attending five days a week. A school year consists of two semesters, totaling 9.5 months, with summer and winter vacations. Most primary schools last for five years, except in some cities like Beijing and Shanghai, where they last for six years.
Every Monday morning, primary schools hold a national flag-raising ceremony. Students participate in morning exercises on the sports ground around ten o’clock. The timetable is designed to benefit students, with afternoons often dedicated to physical education and art. Moral education classes are considered important for developing good citizens.
The primary school curriculum includes Chinese language, mathematics, physical education, music, drawing, nature, history, and geography, combined with practical work experiences. Chinese and mathematics account for approximately 60% of all classes, while natural and social sciences make up only about 8%. Many schools offer after-school programs, providing students with opportunities for community service once a week.
The Nine-Year Compulsory Education Law mandates that primary education be free and accessible to all children. Parents typically pay a small fee per term for books, transportation, food, and heating.
Secondary Schools
Secondary education consists of a 3-4 year junior secondary phase and a 3-year senior secondary phase. Schools are divided into “key” and “ordinary” schools. Key schools have a stronger reputation and receive more funding and resources from the state. This funding allows key schools to purchase new technological equipment and enhance their existing resources. Key schools have the privilege of selecting the best students through region-wide examinations and assigning the best teachers to teach in their schools.
Secondary education teachers in key schools are responsible for preparing and distributing secondary education materials, including exams and textbooks.
In terms of the secondary education curriculum, students attend school for 28 to 30 hours per week, divided over five days. Three fundamental subjects are emphasized: English, Chinese, and Mathematics. These subjects account for more than 50% of the total hours students spend in the classroom. Political education is also compulsory, covering political ideology, morality, social development, and various types of politics (economy, philosophy, etc.). Students also have three years of art and music, as well as physical education throughout secondary school.
Higher Education
Higher education in China is distributed among over 2,000 universities. Public universities are generally considered superior to private ones. Universities in China typically select students based on their performance on the National Higher Education Entrance Examination (Gaokao). The required scores for public universities are significantly higher than those for private universities.
However, in recent years, private universities have experienced significant growth as less competitive students choose to study there due to their scores.
Vocational and Technical Schools
The government has recently restructured vocational education, opening 186 new vocational schools in the Western regions.
Following the reopening of vocational schools in 1976, nearly 3 million people enrolled in vocational and technical schools within just nine years.
There are four types of secondary vocational and technical schools:
- Schools specializing in commerce, legal work, fine arts, and forestry.
- Two-year training programs in trades such as carpentry and welding.
- One- to three-year courses in cooking, tailoring, photography, and other services.
- Agricultural middle schools offering basic subjects and agricultural science.
These technical schools provide students with more choices and diverse programs. As they serve as links between training and future jobs, students are more motivated to study in them. Much of the practical training can be conducted at existing enterprises, providing access to real machines and materials.
China has made significant efforts to improve secondary vocational education in recent years. This is driven by China’s economic situation, where the industrial sector is a major contributor to the country’s economy due to its extensive manufacturing. This necessitates trained and specialized workers, which vocational schools aim to provide.
English Education
It is estimated that there are over 200 million English speakers in China, and this number is expected to grow as 50 million secondary school children are currently studying the language.
Many Chinese students lack strong motivation to study English, often focusing on memorization and rote learning to achieve high marks. This can lead them to prioritize Chinese language studies. Consequently, the study of English is sometimes criticized by Chinese citizens.
Other Interesting Questions
A new lesson has been introduced in Chinese schools. As the Chinese government aims to improve its performance in Football World Cups, city authorities are making efforts to make these classes more engaging. One decision was to train more professional teachers to inspire students’ passion for the sport.