The evolution of education in modern China with special reference to higher education

Abstract

The civilization of China is over five thousand years old. The present system of education, however, is almost wholly a product of the twentieth century. During that period its development has been uneven and has been variously retarded by the weight of tradition, by a series of wars and by political experiments. This thesis is an account of that development, an assessment of the achievement and an analysis of the problems of Chinese education. There are nine chapters. Chapter one is introductory and presents the geographical, economic and political context of education in China. Chapter Two outlines the historical background and assesses the powerful and enduring influence of the traditional civil service examination. Chapter Three and Chapter Four describe the introduction of modern education into China and its development up to 1966. Chapter Five is an account of the theoretical and social determinants of the Cultural Revolution and its consequences for education. Chapter Six discusses the educational reform which has been undertaken in China after the Cultural Revolution. Chapter Seven outlines the present system of educational administration in China and Chapter Eight is a consideration of the provision for higher education both formal and non-formal. The final Chapter is an assessment of what has been achieved and an analysis of the remaining problems which have still to be solved. Throughout the thesis special care has been taken to obtain the most recent and the most accurate statistical data which is available. Inspite of its chequered history and the formidable difficulties which it has faced, the achievements of education in China in the present century have been substantial. Its continued progress is crucial for the future development of the nation.