China has always
laid stress on a good education system. China believes that
education ensures the future of not only the individual but also the
family and the country as a whole.
The Ministry of
Education is responsible for education in China. Basic education in
China includes pre-school education, primary education and regular
secondary education.
Education in China
starts at the age of seven. Free primary education is provided from
the age of seven until the age of 12. The parents are required to
pay a small amount towards books, transportation, and facilities
such as heating and food. Secondary education in China begins from
age 12 to 17. This comprises of three years of middle school and two
years of high school. The education system in China makes it
mandatory for all children to have a minimum of nine years of formal
schooling. This has reduced the illiteracy rate to a great extent.
The primary school
curriculum included subjects such as Chinese, mathematics, drawing,
music, and physical education, to name a few. It also included
general knowledge about politics and moral training. The third grade
saw an introduction of a foreign language, often English.
The State Education
Commission makes it mandatory that all primary schools include
courses on communist ideology and morality. In some schools, the
students in the fourth grade have to perform productive labor two
weeks per semester. Most schools had after-hour activities at least
one day per week--often organized by the Young Pioneers--to involve
students in recreation and community service.
Education system in
China is undergoing a sea change. Today, the higher education in
China is well developed. Degrees such as MBA, which were virtually
unknown until about a decade back, have now become a sought-after
degree.
There are several
universities and colleges, offering a degree system, including
Bachelors, Masters and Doctoral degrees. All these universities and
colleges provide lodging facilities to foreign students within the
campuses. Optionally, foreign students studying in China can also
decide to live out of campus if they wish. Students who wish to go
in for a degree need to first appear for an examination. Only those
students who successfully achieve the required score in this exam
can register for the degree course.
Education in China
adopts a shared mechanism for non-compulsory education. The
Government also ensures that students from low-income families have
access to higher education. This is made possible with the help of
measures such as scholarships, work-study programs, and subsidies.
Education in China
enables students to apply for scholarship programs which are
basically a bilateral exchange program. Students wishing to study in
China on a Chinese scholarship need to approach the government of
their country.
China has and will
continue to see a great improvement in their education system.
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