2. The Law of Nine-Year Compulsory
Education
(中华人民共和国义务教育法）July 1, 1986
• Education is required and free for Chinese citizens age 6 to 15.
Chinese children all get a primary and middle school public
education.
• Parents must pay small fees for books and uniforms.
• Each class averages 35 students. But often 40-50 students.
3. The Law of Nine-Year Compulsory
• In 1986, the Chinese government passed a compulsory education
law, making nine years of education mandatory for all Chinese
children.
• The modern education system is composed of three parts: pre-
school education, basic education and higher education.
Higher education
Basic education
Pre-school education
School system
4. China's Educational System
National Key
University
BA, MA, PhD
Project 211
General University;
Provincial Key
BA, MA, PhD
Can Also Confer 3-yr
Diplomas
Normal
University
(Teacher's
College)
Vocational
College
Two Year
Gao Kao (College Entrance) Exam
Senior Middle School (15 - 18 years old); Key and
General
Vocational
School
15 - 18 yrs
Zhong Kao (Senior Middle School Entrance) Exam
Junior Middle School; 12 - 15 years old
Primary (Elementary) School; 6 - 12 years old
Kindergarten; 3 - 6 years old
5. Class schedule
•Monday- Friday 7AM to 4PM or later
•On Saturday morning, many schools hold required
morning classes.
•Subjects study: Chinese, English, history, literature
math, science, music, art and physical education.
6. Typical Senior Middle School Class Schedule
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday
8:00 - 8:40 Class Meeting Chinese Physics Math Math
8:50 - 9:30 Chinese Biology English Chinese P.E.
9:30 - 9:50 Morning Exercises
9:50 - 10:30 Math Math Chemistry History Biology
10:40 - 11:20 English Chemistry Chinese English History
11:20 - 11:30 Eye Muscle Relaxation Exercises
11:30 - 12:10
History/Geogra
phy
English Biology Politics Chemistry
12:10 - 2:00 Lunch Break
2:00 - 2:40 Math Elective Math Physics English
2:50 - 3:30 Politics Elective P.E. Biology Chinese
3:40 - 4:20 Physics Self-Study Youth League Activity Quiz
4:30 - 5:30 Extracurricular Activity, e.g., Piano Lessons
5:30 - 6:30 Dinner Break
6:30 - 12:00
Homework
7. School Life 学校生活
•School begins around 7:30 with a flag raising ceremony
and a lecture from the principal
•Typical school day is from 7:00am to 4:00pm
•Middle class children fill the hours after school with
homework, music lesson and other enrichment
programs. English and math classes are popular.
11. Gao Kao 高考
• In high school, Chinese students begin preparing for the Gao Kao (National
University Entrance Examinations).
• Results of the exam determine which university test-takers will attend the
following year.
• There were 9.42 million students taking the China’s National Higher
Education Entrance Examination (Gao Kao) on June 2015.
• Higher Education Entrance Examination (Gao Kao) on June 2015.
Investment in education accounts for about 4% of total GDP in China.
12. • Held once annually at the end of the school year(Early July)
• Third-year (12th Grade) high school students take the test
• Subject includes: Chinese language and literature, math, English,
and one or more subjects of student’s choice. (History, physics,
social studies or Chemistry)
• Students are accepted based on the test score.
• Students may re-take the test if they fail the test
Gao Kao 高考
14. Rural schools
• Some 60 million students in rural school are “left-behind”
children, cared for by their grandparents as their parents seek
work in faraway cities.
15. Migrant children
• Hukou 戶口 system – a residency status that ties access to
subsidized social services to one’s hometown – denies rural
children the right to enter urban public schools.
• Many migrant children are relegated to private schools that
charge higher tuition.
16. Teaching Methodology
• Rote Memorization and a focus on math, science and Chinese.
• Extensive test prep for middle school, high school and college
entrance exam.
• Children have traditionally learned by repetition and
memorizing material without asking questions.
18. Holidays and breaks
• National Holiday in the beginning of October. (10-12 days)
• Spring Festival (Chinese New Year) in mid-January or mid-
February depending on the lunar calendar. (2-3 weeks)
• Labor day (May 1)
• Summer Vacation (Mid-July to end of August)
19. Strengths of Chinese Schools
• Teachers in China are given more respect.
• Chinese schools have a hard work ethic, resulting in student
success.
• Chinese schools do not segregate in high achieving students fro
lower achieving students through tracking levels.
20. Negative aspect of Chinese education system
• All sorts of exams including Gao Kao (University Entrance Exam)
determine and are the proof of students’ success.
• For many students, the Gao Kao is the most important thing for
them. Many people believe that the Gao Kao robs Chinese
students of their curiosity, creativity, and childhood.
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/business/2009-07/13/content_8420528.htm
