China is a modern and promising country, which in recent years has occupied a leading position not only in the world market, but also in the field of culture and science. From our article you will learn how the education system in China has evolved from antiquity to the present day. We will also talk about the most important universities in the country and how foreigners can enter them.
Education in ancient China
Since ancient times, the Chinese have been sensitive to everything related to knowledge and study. Teachers, scientists, philosophers and poets were respected people, often held high positions in the state system. Children received initial knowledge in the family - they were taught to respect their elders and follow the norms of behavior in society. In wealthy families, children from three years old were taught counting and writing. From the age of six, the boys went to school, where they learned the art of gun ownership, horse riding, music and writing hieroglyphs. In large cities, students could go through two levels of education - primary and higher. Usually, children of the nobility and wealthy citizens studied here, since the cost of classes was quite high. In rural schools, students spent all day reading books, did not know holidays and fun games. Corporal punishment was not rare - instead of flowers, children carried a bamboo stick to the teacher, though in a beautiful package. However, the knowledge they received within the walls of the school was rather meager. The students were impressed that China was the whole world and the children had a vague idea of what was happening in neighboring countries. It should be noted that the girls were ordered to go to school, as they were being prepared for the role of wife and mother of the family. But in noble families, girls learned to read and write, dance, play musical instruments and even master some types of weapons. With the popularization of the teachings of Confucius, the history of the formation of China has moved to a new level. For the first time, students began to be treated with respect, taught to ask questions and find answers to them. The new approach has fostered respect for educational sciences, and has contributed to making education an integral part of public policy.
Education system in China
Today, the government of this great country is doing everything so that citizens can learn. This is despite the fact that in the middle of the last century 80% of the population was illiterate. Thanks to state programs throughout the country, schools, technical colleges and higher education institutions are actively opening. However, the problem persists in rural areas, where people still live in accordance with ancient traditions. The main feature of education in China is that education at all levels can be obtained for free. The system itself is very similar to the Russian one. That is, from three years old kids go to kindergarten, from six years old to school, and after graduation they go to college or a vocational school. Consider all the steps in more detail.
Early Childhood Education in China
As you know, most families in this country raise one child. That is why parents are happy that kids can be brought up in a children's team. Kindergartens in China are divided into public and private. Firstly, much attention is paid to preparing for school, and secondly, to the development of creative abilities. Additional activities such as dancing and music are usually paid separately. Many of the knowledge that children receive in kindergartens can be put into practice. So, for example, they learn to plant plants and take care of them. Together with the teacher they cook and learn how to repair clothes. We can see an original approach to education in the Junin network of private kindergartens. A whole team of teachers, led by Chairman Van Hunin, developed a unified curriculum for children.
School in China
Before entering the first grade, children undergo a series of tests, and then are involved in serious work. Here, even the smallest students do not make concessions, and parents often have to hire tutors. School education in China is designed so that children must constantly compete with each other for the title of best. Therefore, it is not surprising that the loads in all classes are simply huge. At the end of the seventh grade, all students pass an exam, which will determine whether the child is ready for high school. If not, then the road to further education, and subsequently to prestigious work, will be closed to him. Before entering the university, students pass a single state exam, which is held throughout the country at the same time (By the way, this idea was borrowed and successfully implemented in Russia). Every year, more and more Chinese successfully pass exams at prestigious universities around the world. They are accepted with pleasure, because these students are very diligent, collected and take their studies very seriously.
Like other educational institutions in China, schools are not only public, but also private. Foreigners can enter any of them by passing the necessary exams. As a rule, it’s much easier to enter a private school , and training is often conducted in two languages (one of them is English). There is a school in China where they study in Russian and Chinese, and it is located in the city of Yining.
Secondary education
Like in Russia, there are vocational schools that teach students the chosen profession. The main areas of secondary education in China are agriculture, medicine, law, pharmaceuticals and so on. For three or four years, young people receive a profession and can begin to work. Foreigners entering such educational institutions learn the language for the first year, and devote the rest of their time to studying.
Higher education
The country has many state universities that accept students based on the results of school exams. Education here is paid, but the prices are relatively low. However, in rural areas often even such a fee seems high, and they are forced to take loans for training. If a young specialist agrees to return to the hinterland after graduation, then he will not have to return the money. If he is ambitious and plans to start his own business in the city, then the debt will have to be fully repaid. Higher education in China can be obtained by any foreign student who has passed the language test. Moreover, he can choose a program in English, learn Chinese in parallel. To facilitate the adaptation of such students, preparatory language courses are often opened for them. After a year or two of intensive training, the student can proceed to study in the specialty.
Universities
Consider the most popular and prestigious universities in the country:
- Peking University is the country's oldest educational institution located in the Haidan District, one of the most beautiful places on earth. Amazing gardens that used to belong to the imperial dynasty make an indelible impression on tourists. The campus itself consists of educational buildings, dormitories, cafes, restaurants, shops and leisure centers. The local library is the largest in Asia.
- Fudan University is one of the oldest in the country. He is known for being the first to replace the semester system with “levels” and proved that such an approach is most effective. In addition, the teachers of this university set the goal to unleash the potential of students to channel young talents to serve their country.
- Tsinghua is one of the best technical universities in China, which is also among the top 100 universities in the world. Among his students there are many famous scientists, politicians and public figures.
Conclusion
As you can see, the way of education in China is very similar to the one students in Russia are doing. We hope that the information we collect will come in handy if you decide to become a student in one of the country's educational institutions.