Surprising Facts About China’s Education System

Before 1949, 80% of the Chinese population was illiterate:
Before the People’s Republic of China was founded, nearly 80% of the 500 million people living in China were illiterate. During Mao Zedong’s rule, education became one of the government’s chief priorities and experienced great change during the Cultural Revolution.

Chinese citizens must attend school for nine years: 
The public education system in China, governed by the Ministry of Education, states that all Chinese citizens must attend school for at least nine years.

Chinese youth have a 99% literacy rate:
UNICEF reports that from 2000-2007, Chinese youth ages 15-24 years old enjoyed a 99% literacy rate.

China intends to match developed countries for supplies and school conditions by 2010:
Though China’s primary and secondary schools are lacking in supplies and modern structures, they have created a special fund that will allow them to match the standards of well-developed countries by the year 2010.

Private schools were not implemented until the 1980s:
While private schools have been common in the United States for years, China did not allow private schools to operate until the early 1980s.

After-School Education:
After-school education is an important aspect of the Chinese education system, and it is overseen by joint efforts between the Communist Youth League, Committee for Women’s and Children’s Work, and various departments in charge of education, technology, culture and more.

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