New Policy Actions and Government Roles: China’s Reconstruction of TVET Systems Since the 1980s

Abstract

The history of the development of formal technical and vocational education and training (TVET) in China can be traced back to the late Qing Dynasty (1840–1911), but it was not until the early twentieth century that the framework of the modern school system began to emerge. It has only been in the last three decades that reform measures accelerated-the achievements have been remarkable. By 2004, China had 14.1 million students enrolled in 14,454 secondary vocational schools (China. Ministry of Education [MoE], 2005). To understand China’s ultra-large TVET system, this chapter first introduces an overview of developments since the 1980s. It then focuses on the role that the Chinese Government played in the reform and development of the TVET system, and highlights future policy actions for reform. The chapter ends with a discussion of some TVET problems unique to the Chinese context, as well as the implications for TVET policy actions.