Presented by John Morgan, Cardiff University

At the turn of the 21st century China was proud of two achievements in education policy: the universalisation of nine-year compulsory education; and the so-called massification of higher education. The latter saw an increase in the enrolment ratio from only 3.4% in 1990 to over 20% by 2005. However there has recently been a growing debate about inequality in education and its relationship with social inequality in China more generally. Why does this matter to the Chinese public, media and policy makers, given these impressive achievements in general provision?  The seminar will consider these issues in the context of the emergence in China of a discernible public policy culture, with education policy providing an excellent example.

John is Emeritus Professor of Comparative Education and Senior Fellow, China Policy Institute, University of Nottingham; and Honorary Professor, School of Social Sciences, Cardiff University. He has published several articles and two books on education in China in collaboration with Chinese colleagues.  He is co-editor, with Q. Gu and F. Li, of A Handbook of Education in China, to be published by Edward Elgar in July, 2017. 

Read more here.