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SCMP Reporter

In this era of globalisation, we need to look beyond Hong Kong. This News Review, a story from the mainland, will give you a glimpse of what is happening outside the territory.

Children in Beijing to have 12 years of compulsory education

(SCMP,  August 26, 2001)

Jamila Zhou

Beijing city government plans to introduce 12 years of compulsory schooling by 2010 as part of its programme to ensure it stays at the forefront of education reform.

Nine years of schooling is the norm in other parts of the country. The Beijing plan is part of an effort to raise the city's education level and ease pressure on the job market.

Mayor Liu Qi told educators last week that basic education was strategically important for the modernisation of the capital.

According to media reports, compulsory education in Beijing will mean six years of primary school, three years of junior high school and three years of senior high.

The city claims the quality of education will mirror that of developed countries.

This year, only 70,000 of the 86,000 students finishing junior high are able to enrol in senior high school.

The gap will grow when the number of junior high graduates peaks at between 156,000 and 183,000 in the next five years.

To close that gap, Beijing is looking for more land and resources to build 100 senior high schools. Each will provide at least 12 classes for each grade.

A new regulation to take effect from next year will make education standards and conditions uniform across city districts, the Beijing Youth Daily  has reported.

Some inferior schools will be combined or even merged with better ones to expand their scope and improve quality.

Beijing also plans to ensure children of the city's 'floating population' -  the vast number of migrant workers - get at least nine years' compulsory education.

Glossary

compulsory (adj) required by regulations or laws; obligatory

basic (adj) elementary or simple

modernisation (n) to change by replacing old methods, equipment

peaks (n) the points of greatest success or achievement

regulation (n) a rule that governs procedures or behaviour

Discussion points

Do you think Beijing's plan to introduce 12 years of schooling will lift education standards and help people get jobs?

In what ways will this move help modernise the capital?

Edited by Catherine Chisholm



News review