By Gao Qingpeng and Liu Lihui, "Improving Basic Education Quality in China" research team, Development Research Center of the State Council (DRC)

Report No 96, 2014 (Total 4595)

Summary:

As China increases its basic education reforms, there has been a consensus in many places on developing a characteristic education along with a balanced education. This report analyzes the relation of government to markets and schools, based on a study in Beijing and Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces, with emphasis on government incentives, the market's role in allocating educational resource, and schools' role in innovation and creativity to try to find better education models.

Developing a characteristic education is important for the scientific development of education and the country's cultural soft power. China needs to clarify the function of government, markets, and schools, and coordinate them. In addition, schools need to be based on their conditions and laws and emphasize morals and culture, to give characteristic education a vital role in education reforms.