Rural Education in China's Social Transition

The People's Republic of China experienced rapid economic growth and expansion in the first decade of the twenty-first century, which altered the educational environment of children. However, rising inequality led to a large resource gap between poor rural children and their wealthier urban counterparts. This book explores the complexities China has faced in seeking to extend full educational access to rural children, including rural-to-urban migrant and ethnic minority children, during a momentous period in China's history.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 256 pages
Publication date: 01 August 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

In the early 2000s, China experienced a period of rapid economic growth and expansion that significantly impacted the educational landscape of its children. The country's economy grew at an unprecedented rate, leading to increased prosperity and educational opportunities for children from all backgrounds. However, this period of growth also brought about rising inequality, with the children of the emerging urban middle and elite classes enjoying new prosperity while those from persistently poor rural communities continued to face numerous challenges.

One of the most significant challenges faced by rural children was food insecurity. Many families in rural areas struggled to provide enough food for their children, leading to poor nutrition and increased susceptibility to illness. Illnesses such as malnutrition and diarrhea were common among rural children, and they often missed school due to illness or medical conditions.

Another challenge was the hardship of family separation. Many rural children were separated from their parents due to migration to urban areas in search of better job opportunities. This separation often led to feelings of loneliness, anxiety, and depression, as children were left to fend for themselves in a new and unfamiliar environment.

Migrant life on the margins of cities was also a challenge for rural children. Many rural children were forced to leave their homes and move to urban areas in search of work, often living in poor conditions and facing discrimination and exploitation. They often struggled to access education and other basic services, and they were at risk of being exploited by employers or traffickers.

The resource gap between poor rural children and their wealthier urban counterparts also emerged during this period. Poor rural children often lived in inadequate housing, lacked access to clean water and sanitation, and had limited access to educational resources. In contrast, their urban counterparts had access to better schools, libraries, and medical facilities, and they were more likely to have access to technology and other resources that could enhance their learning.

This book seeks to highlight the complexities China has experienced in seeking to extend full educational access to rural children, including rural-to-urban migrant and ethnic minority children, during a momentous period in China's history. Chapters delve into the experiences, perceptions, strategies, and difficulties of rural-origin children and their families in the school system, and lay bare the challenges of policy initiatives designed to support rural education.

We hope that the experiences detailed here will be of interest to students and scholars of rural educational policy and practice in China and worldwide. By understanding the challenges faced by rural children, we can work towards creating a more equitable and inclusive education system that ensures all children have the opportunity to thrive and reach their full potential.

Weight: 470g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367624101