The document summarizes key aspects of China's education system. It outlines that education is compulsory from ages 6-15 according to the Law of Nine-Year Compulsory Education. It then describes the structure of China's education system including pre-school, basic education, and higher education. It provides details about the high-stakes Gaokao exam students must take to enter university, the school schedule, and strengths and weaknesses of the education system including a focus on rote memorization and exam preparation.

1. School System
in
China
Joanne Chen
2015

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.

8. Preschool 幼儿园

9. Primary School 小学

10. High school

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

13. Exam Day

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.

17. Banquet to Thank Teachers 谢师宴

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

21. http://collegestats.org/2012/08/15-facts-about-chinas-grueling-college-entrance-exam/