Education in China - A real case of learning by numbers
Do the Chinese turn their education system into one big
chop suey or do they make a clean plate of it? Find out more about what
pre-school, elementary, secondary, higher and adult education in China
has to offer.
Education in China is via a nationwide and government
initiative for public education. The pattern has phases that directly
focus on transforming major sectors in a bid to meet the drives and
demands of industrialization. In the Peoples Republic of China,
education is categorized into three main phases: basic or elementary
education, higher education, and adult education. Traces of Chinese
formal education dates back from as early as the 16th century.
China has compulsory education constitution stipulating that every
child must have 9 years of formal education. The Compulsory Education
Law in China took effect on July 1, 1986. It stipulates that a child has
to attend five years in the elementary system education, and a further
four years in junior middle level education. Another alternative could
be letting a child attend six years in elementary school and three more
years in junior middle. The commonplace in China today is the 6-3
pattern.
Basic education in China comprises of a period of pre-school, primary
education, and a period of regular secondary school education. The
pre-school also called the kindergarten, could last for a period of
three years. The children enter this elementary stage of education from
a tender age of three years, to the age of six. Every academic year at
this stage of education has two semesters. Primary schools education
admits children from the age of six to eleven years. Usually the local
respective authorities in charge education run the primary schools. They
offer free tuition to all students although some primary schools owned
by individuals and enterprises provide their own arrangements. Secondary
school education in China accepts children from the age of twelve to
seventeen years. The state, the local governments, and other business
authorities run many secondary schools.
The higher education in China is a composite of vocational courses and
studies. They are undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral degrees.
Higher education in China is offered in colleges, vocational colleges,
institutes, and universities. These institutions conduct joint
scientific researches and provide social services to the students.
Students must take the national entrance exam in order to join a college
or university. This exercise is currently open to all ages and is
usually carried in June annually. The process of getting through to the
university is extremely competitive since the selection for the
candidates is based on their respective marks and the number of students
sitting for the exams.
Adult education in China overlaps the entire elementary and higher
education phases. The adults for primary education comprise in systems
for the peasants, workers, and some literacy classes. The systems
include television and radio specialized education for secondary
schools, in-service courses, or via correspondence. The higher education
system for adults in China assume similar pattern as for adults'
secondary schools with differences in content. The duration varies from
two and three year's curricula, or regular undergraduates systems. The
State Education Commission (SEC) administers the education system in
China. The body formulates and enforces education principles, laws, and
policies. The influence of the SEC is greater in institutions of higher
learning for education in China.
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