What's the education system like in China?

Summary

The Chinese education system mandates 9 years of compulsory schooling for children over 6, including primary and junior middle school. Following this, students face the pivotal senior high school entrance exam, with 87% proceeding to senior secondary education. They specialize in either humanities or sciences, preparing for the critical college entrance exam, the GAA, which dictates university admission. China's historic reforms introduce a 3+3 model, emphasizing higher-level Chinese and traditional culture, aiming for comprehensive personal development.

Takeaways

• 🏫 In China, children over 6 years old are eligible to start primary school, which is the beginning of their formal education.
• 📚 After primary school, students spend 3 years in junior middle school, completing a total of 9 years of what is known as National Compulsory Education.
• 🆓 National Compulsory Education in China is free of charge for all school-age children, ensuring access to basic education for everyone.
• 📝 The first significant exam in a Chinese student's life is the senior high school entrance examination, which is based on their academic performance and personal preferences.
• 🎓 Approximately 87% of students proceed to senior secondary education, with 57% attending regular senior secondary schools and 43% going to secondary vocational schools.
• 🔬 Students in regular senior secondary schools choose between a focus on social sciences or natural sciences, which determines their subjects for the college entrance examination.
• 📈 The college entrance examination, known as GAA, is scored out of 750 points and is a pivotal moment in a student's academic career.
• 🌐 English is the most popular foreign language among the six that can be chosen for the examination, highlighting its importance in education.
• 🏛 The results of the GAA, along with the university's enrollment marks, decide which university a student can enter, making it a high-stakes exam.
• 📈 The recent historic education system reform in China introduces a 3+3 model for the GAA, emphasizing higher level requirements, especially in Chinese language and traditional culture.
• 🌟 The reform aims at comprehensive personal development and an education oriented towards cultivating well-rounded individuals.

Q & A

What is the minimum age for children to start primary school in China?

Children in China are allowed to enter primary school at the age of 6 or over.

How long is the duration of primary and junior middle school education combined in China?

The combined duration of primary and junior middle school education in China is 9 years.

What is the term used for the 9-year education system in China?

The 9-year education system is referred to as 'National Compulsory Education' in China.

What does the National Compulsory Education require for all school-age children in China?

National Compulsory Education requires that all school-age children be educated free of charge.

What is the first important lifetime test that Chinese students take after compulsory education?

After compulsory education, Chinese students take the senior high school entrance examination, which is their first important lifetime test.

What percentage of students enter senior secondary education based on the transcript?

According to the transcript, 87% of students step into senior secondary education.

How many students choose regular senior secondary schools over secondary vocational schools?

57% of students choose regular senior secondary schools, while 43% enter secondary vocational schools.

What are the two main class focuses in regular schools for students in most provinces of China?

In most provinces, students in regular schools are divided into classes focused on social sciences or natural sciences.

What is the total point of the college entrance examination (GAA) in China?

The total point of the college entrance examination (GAA) in China is 750.

What is the significance of the GAA for Chinese students in relation to their university admission?

The GAA is greatly significant for Chinese students as it determines the university they can enter based on their final scores and the enrollment mark of the university.

How has the historic education system reform in China affected the GAA model?

The historic education system reform in China has led to the adoption of a 3+3 model for the GAA, emphasizing higher level Chinese and traditional Chinese culture.

What does the 3+3 model in the GAA tend to select for comprehensive personal development?

The 3+3 model in the GAA tends to select exact mines on the basis of majors, aiming for comprehensive personal development.