Educational System

in China
Prepared by:
AMY V. MARTIN
Confucius (Kung Fu-Tzu)
 History of Education in China
Confucianism
• Many Chinese scholars believe the history of education in China
can be traced back at as far as the 16th century BC.
• Education was the privilege for the elites.
• Confucianism probably is the biggest influence in history of
education in China.
• The curriculum were mainly based on The Four Books and The
Five Classics.
• The Four Books refers to The Great Learning, The Doctrine of the
Mean, Confucian Analects and The Works of Mencius.
• The Five Classics includes The Book of Poetry, The Book of
History, The Book of Rites, The Book of Changes, and The Spring
and Autumn Annals.
• Later in Han Dynasty, a form of public education system was
established.
• Studying Confucianism had been the most efficient way for them
advancing into upper class.
Civil Exam
Civil Exam
• During Han Dynasty, the first civil service exam was set up. There
were people who spend their lifetime studying Confucianism.
• Changes had been made throughout thousands years of history,
more western influence were bought into the Chinese education
system during the Qing dynasty.
• Opium War (1840-1842), scholars and government officials
suggested major restructure of education system, developing
new areas such as foreign language, science and technology in
1911.
• The Qing Dynasty itself was overthrown by revolution, and a
republican form of government was established.
New Era
New Era
• Basic education entered a new era of progress in 1978.
• In 1985, the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party
issued the “Decision on the Reform of the Educational Structure”.
• In 1986, the National People’s Congress promulgated the
“Compulsory Education Law of the People’s Republic of China”.
• In 1993, the Cental Committee and the State Council jointly
issued the “Guidelines for the Reform and Development of
Education in China”.
• In June 1999, the Central Committee and the State Council
jointly promulgated the “Decision on the Deepening of Education
Reform and the Full Promotion of Quality Education”
Constitutional Provisions
 Constitutional Provisions
Education Law of the People’s Republic of China
(September 1995)
- This Law guarantees the strategic position of education in the social and
economic development, implements the significant decision of the State of
establishing education development as priority.
Law of Vocational Education (September 1996)
- This Law will accelerate the reform and development of vocational education.
Regulation on Education of the Disabled (August 1994)
- The Regulation stipulates the education of the disabled is an obligation of the
State; it is also establishes that people’s government at all levels should
strengthen leadership, planning and development of education of the disabled.
Regulations on Qualifications of Teachers (December
1995)
- The Regulation stipulates that Chinese citizens who are teaching in
educational institutions, at all levels and of all types, should acquire
teacher’s qualifications according to law.
Teacher Law of the People’s Republic of China (October
1993)
- This Law introduced important measures for the improvement of teacher’s
qualifications and the protection of teachers’ lawful rights.
Higher Education Law of People’s Republic of China
(August 1998)
- This Law, which came into force on January 1, 1999, is the first
comprehensive legal document regulating higher education in the country.
Law on Compulsory Education (1986)
- Stipulates that the States shall institute a system of nine-year compulsory
education divided into two stages, primary and lower secondary education.
- “All children who have reached the age of 6 years shall attend school for the
prescribed number of years, regardless of sex, nationality or race.
- “The State, the community, schools and families shall, in accordance with
the law, protect the right to education of school age children and
adolescents.
National Language Law and the Private School Promoting
Act of the People’s Republic of China
- This Act and its related Regulation aim at creating a more favorable legal
and institutional environment for the development of private education.
Objectives
Educational Objectives for Elementary Schools
• Enable students to develop physically. At least one hour a day
students are required to perform some type of physical exercise.
• Develop the students moral character by teaching them to love
the motherland, the Chinese people, manual labor, socialism and
the Chinese Communist Party, and public property.
• Enable students to obtain a fundamental education, develop
skills in reading, writing and science, possess social knowledge
and cultivate good study habits.
 Educational Objectives for Secondary Schools
• Develop the student’s spirit of patriotism and internationalism
• Enable students to master basic skills in math, foreign language,
Chinese, etc. and gradually acquire the abilities of self-study and
problem-solving.
• Enable students to develop physically and foster good habits in
daily life and in labor.
xiè xie