"Journal of Humanities, Arts and Social Science" Article Recommendation: A Comparative Study of China's Educational Reform: The "Double Reduction" Policy and Its Impact

In the ever-evolving landscape of China's education system, the "double reduction" policy has emerged as a game-changer, creating ripples akin to a stone tossed into a serene lake. On one hand, parents in Beijing, despite having access to abundant after-school extended services, remain dissatisfied. On the other hand, schools in western regions, despite limited resources, are striving to make the most of the policy. What lies beneath these contrasting scenarios? A study published in the Journal of Humanities, Arts and Social Science by researchers from Beihang University offers fascinating insights into the disparities in the implementation of educational reforms between eastern and western China. 

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The Eastern Region: Abundant Resources Yet Unmet Expectations

Beijing, often regarded as China's educational hub, boasts a wealth of resources for after-school extended services. With a team of professional teachers and a diverse curriculum ranging from language and mathematics to art and sports, it seems to have it all. However, the reality is not as rosy as it appears. According to surveys, while parents acknowledge the richness of the curriculum, some express frustration over the course selection process. As one parent, Xiao Zhang, shared with the researchers, "My child often fails to secure a spot in the popular courses, and by the time an alternative is offered, the child's interest has already waned." Additionally, non-academic courses, though popular among students, are constrained by limited venues and teaching staff, often leading to premature conclusions. Despite the abundance of resources in eastern regions like Beijing, challenges remain in meeting parental expectations.

The Western Region: Making Do with Limited Resources

In contrast to the eastern region's "first-world problems," the western region faces a different set of challenges. At a primary school in the west, after-school extended services are relatively simple, primarily consisting of self-study and basic tutoring, with non-academic courses being few and far between. The shortage of teaching staff is so severe that some courses are taught by non-specialist teachers, making it difficult to ensure teaching quality. Nevertheless, the school is doing its utmost. The principal, Mr. Li, said, "Although our resources are limited, we are trying our best to provide children with a different experience after school." With limited funds, the school has set up a small reading corner to encourage reading and organizes simple sports activities to keep children active after class. The educational reform in the western region, though fraught with difficulties, persists with determination.

Cultural and Realistic Differences Behind the Disparities

These differences stem from the profound disparities in social culture and economic development between China's eastern and western regions. The eastern region, with its advanced economy and substantial educational investment, has parents with high educational expectations. They hope their children can gain more knowledge and skill enhancements through after-school extended services. In contrast, the western region, with its relatively underdeveloped economy and scarce educational resources, has parents whose primary hope is for their children to have a safe and organized learning environment after school. These differences are prominently displayed in the implementation of the "double reduction" policy.

Key Players in Educational Reform

However, schools are not the sole drivers of educational reform. Parents, society, and the government also play crucial roles. The resources and curriculum provided by schools are just one aspect of educational reform. Parental educational philosophies, societal support, and government policy guidance are equally important in determining the effectiveness of educational reform. Parents in Beijing are more inclined to rely on extracurricular tutoring to meet their children's learning needs, while parents in the western region are more dependent on schools' after-school extended services. These differences also influence the progress of educational reform to a certain extent.

The Future of Educational Equity

Amid the global wave of educational reform, China's "double reduction" policy represents a bold experiment. We look forward to more regions learning from Beijing's experience, fully utilizing their resource advantages, and paying attention to parents' real needs to jointly promote the progress of educational reform in China. Let us work together to create a more fair and valuable educational environment for every child. As the researchers stated in the article, "Only by understanding and addressing the differences in educational reform between eastern and western regions can we truly achieve the goal of educational equity."

The study was published in Journal of Humanities, Arts and Social Science, Hill Publishing Group

https://www.hillpublisher.com/ArticleDetails/2901  

How to cite this paper

How to cite this paper: Jiayi Yu, Ting Wang, Quanhong Jiang. (2024) A Comparative Study of the Latest Educational Reform Achievements in China Between East and West. Journal of Humanities, Arts and Social Science, 8(2), 405-413.

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.26855/jhass.2024.02.017