The development of education is of primary importance in China.
Under the policy of "developing the country through science
and education," each child is offered free education for
a compulsory nine years and the education system is constantly
being improved. "Oriented towards modernisation, the world,
and the future" is the guiding principle for the development
of the Chinese education system, both in the long and the short
term.
China's eduation system can be divided into the following
stages:
1) Pre-school education is for 3-5 year olds and takes place
in kindergartens.
2) Primary education is from 6-11. Primary schools are usually
run by local educational authorities and over free tuition,
although there are some private schools owned by enterprises
and individuals.
3) Secondary schooling is for children from 12-17 years of age.
Education of this kind is run by local governments and various
business authorities. State-run secondary schools include junior
middle schools and senior middle schools, both with three grades
or years. The first three years of secondary school are compulsory
and tuition is free. Senior middle school is not compulsory
and students must pay minimal tuition fees. Private secondary
schools often offer specialised education and have a more vocational
bent, but the qualifications they offer are considered to be
on the same level as those of State-run middle schools. However,
graduates from secondary professional schools are seen to have
achieved a higher level in some ways akin to a university education.
Students graduating from junior middle schools usually go on
to senior middle schools, although some move to vocational high
schools or secondary professional schools for 3-5 years of study.
4) For higher education there are vocational courses as well
as undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral degrees. Higher
education is offered in universities, colleges, institutes,
and vocational colleges. These institutions conduct academic
and scientific research and provide social services as well
as offering courses to students. To enter a university or college,
students have to take the national entrance examination, which
takes place every July and is now open to people of all ages.
Selection is based on each students marks in this exam, and
due to the number of people sitting the exam, getting into university
is highly competitive. Those who fail to get selected have to
go to private colleges if they want to continue their education.
Tuition at such colleges is more expensive than at the State-run
universities. Those who have missed out on higher education
can continue their studies as adults in the workplace.
China's Educational Structure is basically equal to that of
other countries. Please refer to the Chart of China's Educational
Structure for details.
