Higher Education in China - A Mere Privilege?

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China is making a scene not only in the economic stage but also in terms of its educational platforms. The last two decades will show that China has produced more educated individuals at the same pace as they have been employing migrant workers. 

China’s educational system is characterized by extensive school programs that start as early as 3 years old for those capable of paying preschool institutions, and 6 years old for those availing of the 9-year mandatory education program. To be continued in a secondary education if parents are capable enough to provide or if the student is intelligent enough to avail of scholarship programs to pursue his secondary education or get higher learning degrees.

Program for higher education in China is both a privilege and a right. It is a privilege to those who can afford higher book learning, and it is a right to those who can surpass academic challenges with outstanding or excellent ratings in any of the levels of education adopted in China. Although China provides for assistance programs for needy students who wish to improve their economic status by augmenting their educational attainment, the availability of higher education to the poor is limited to those who are crafted, skilled and gifted enough to qualify for higher education scholarship programs. The accessibility of higher education to the elite class however will be highly dependent on the capacity of the providing parent and the studying individual.

China has instilled the value of education to the nation, when it drafted the Compulsory Education Law, the Teacher’s Law, and other related laws on Educational advancement. Chinese schools have adopted the five-scale and the four-scale grading system in measuring the capability of its students. It has provided for the rankings of student performance ranging from outstanding to unsatisfactory rating. The grading system is similar to all the academic levels with slight variations on the assessment due to the fact that the higher the level, the more difficult the subjects are.

China’s higher education program includes junior college, a bachelor, and masters and doctoral degree programs. Junior college programs usually last for 2-3 years depending on the course requirement. Bachelor degree programs last for 4 years, and these are the usual courses such as medical courses, engineering and technical curriculum, which can even last up to 5 years. Both material and doctoral programs would have 3 years maximum additional learning. Higher education in China is diversified and well entrenched to become fully competent even for foreign companies. Most of the famous universities in Shenzhen can be found at the University Town in Nan Shan District. The educational hub includes Tsinghua University, Peking University, Harbin Institute of Technology, all graduate schools. You will also find Xili Campus of the Shenzhen University, South University of Science and Technology and the Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Integration Technology.

A most notable reform program in China’s education program is the advent of international schools catering to the educational hunger of Chinese elite society and intellectuals. Some of these schools were also installed to foster bilateral communications and relations in terms of education, one of the many reasons why there are dozens of exchange programs for foreign and Chinese students attending higher education.

Photo is Shenzhen University Town

For Further Reading:

China Educational System – Ensuring a Brighter Future through Quality Education

The Primary Education in China is More than Just the Basics

Secondary Education in China Ensures Growth and Skill Competence

Shenzhen Language Schools: Quality Education in the Heart of China

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University Town of Shenzhen

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