Page 350 - 2019 White Paper on the Business Environment in China
P. 350
9 White Paper on the Business Environment in China
2.15 Education Industry
Background in September 2017 to 881,000 in 2022. The demand is
fueled by both expatriate families and local Chinese
Progress in education in China has families seeking a Western education for their children.
attained historical levels, Chinese locals are traditionally restricted from attending
graduating it to a country with a middle-to-high ranking international schools. But new breeds have emerged
education system. In 2016, the gross enrollment rate to cater to this insatiable appetite for Western-style
at pre-school level was 77.4 percent, 12.9 percentage education among the Chinese middle class. School for
points higher than in 2012. The gross enrollment rate Children of Foreign Workers (SCFW), or “Expat schools,”
at primary school level remains steady at about 104.5 as they are known, are where children of expatriates
percent. The gross enrollment rate at junior high living in China receive an international education. These
school level reached roughly the same percentage. The schools are not allowed to enroll local Chinese children,
gross enrollment rate in senior high school reached except those migrating from other Asian countries or
87.5 percent, and the higher education enrollment with a parent who holds a foreign passport. The local
rate was 42.7 percent. About 44.14 million children curriculum is not offered here.
were registered in China’s 240,000 kindergartens and
nursery classes. The number of students in compulsory The primary locations for SCFWs are Beijing, Shanghai
education totaled 140 million. In 2016, 93.4 percent and Guangdong. These schools have seen a decline in
of students completed their nine-year compulsory enrollment by Western students in recent years. Spaces
education. At the same time, 93.7 percent of junior high are being filled by children of returning Chinese families,
school students entered regular senior high schools, Asian expats, African and German students. These
secondary vocational schools or adult-education schools are normally joint ventures between a foreign
high schools after graduation, a 5.3 percentage point education company or school and a local Chinese owner.
increase on the 88.4 percent achieved in 2012. Just The former provides the teaching and learning, while
under 40 million students were registered in these the latter provides the land and funding. Both expatriate
schools (59.6 percent in regular senior high schools, and local Chinese students of any age can attend these
40.3 percent in secondary vocational schools and 0.1 schools; however, that they are restricted to secondary
percentage point in adult-education high schools). The and higher education only. Local Chinese children can
majority of junior high school graduates were able to enroll Chinese-owned private schools, of which many
enroll in regular senior secondary schools or secondary offer bilingual learning and internationally recognized
vocational schools. The majority of the workforce today qualifications. The international elements such as an
has been educated to senior secondary school level or emphasis on English, another foreign language or well-
above (Education in China). funded arts programs distinguishes these institutions
from traditional Chinese public schools. They are
International and Private Schools sometimes branded ‘Bilingual Schools’ or ‘Experimental
Schools’. Some public schools in China now also offer
The demand for international schools in China is not lucrative ‘international streams’ that teach the national
waning anytime soon. Though the scene is relatively Chinese curriculum in both Chinese and English as an
young, there are now more than 600 English-speaking option to high school students (SI).
international schools in the country. Most are located in
Tier 1 cities, like Beijing and Shanghai, as well as other According to Xinhua News, the central government
provincial capitals, such as Chengdu and Guangzhou. of China is encouraging private investment in the
The latest forecasts for the number of students at English education industry in order to improve efficiency.
international schools in China will grow from 475,000 Private education has experienced rapid growth and has
350
2.15 Education Industry
Background in September 2017 to 881,000 in 2022. The demand is
fueled by both expatriate families and local Chinese
Progress in education in China has families seeking a Western education for their children.
attained historical levels, Chinese locals are traditionally restricted from attending
graduating it to a country with a middle-to-high ranking international schools. But new breeds have emerged
education system. In 2016, the gross enrollment rate to cater to this insatiable appetite for Western-style
at pre-school level was 77.4 percent, 12.9 percentage education among the Chinese middle class. School for
points higher than in 2012. The gross enrollment rate Children of Foreign Workers (SCFW), or “Expat schools,”
at primary school level remains steady at about 104.5 as they are known, are where children of expatriates
percent. The gross enrollment rate at junior high living in China receive an international education. These
school level reached roughly the same percentage. The schools are not allowed to enroll local Chinese children,
gross enrollment rate in senior high school reached except those migrating from other Asian countries or
87.5 percent, and the higher education enrollment with a parent who holds a foreign passport. The local
rate was 42.7 percent. About 44.14 million children curriculum is not offered here.
were registered in China’s 240,000 kindergartens and
nursery classes. The number of students in compulsory The primary locations for SCFWs are Beijing, Shanghai
education totaled 140 million. In 2016, 93.4 percent and Guangdong. These schools have seen a decline in
of students completed their nine-year compulsory enrollment by Western students in recent years. Spaces
education. At the same time, 93.7 percent of junior high are being filled by children of returning Chinese families,
school students entered regular senior high schools, Asian expats, African and German students. These
secondary vocational schools or adult-education schools are normally joint ventures between a foreign
high schools after graduation, a 5.3 percentage point education company or school and a local Chinese owner.
increase on the 88.4 percent achieved in 2012. Just The former provides the teaching and learning, while
under 40 million students were registered in these the latter provides the land and funding. Both expatriate
schools (59.6 percent in regular senior high schools, and local Chinese students of any age can attend these
40.3 percent in secondary vocational schools and 0.1 schools; however, that they are restricted to secondary
percentage point in adult-education high schools). The and higher education only. Local Chinese children can
majority of junior high school graduates were able to enroll Chinese-owned private schools, of which many
enroll in regular senior secondary schools or secondary offer bilingual learning and internationally recognized
vocational schools. The majority of the workforce today qualifications. The international elements such as an
has been educated to senior secondary school level or emphasis on English, another foreign language or well-
above (Education in China). funded arts programs distinguishes these institutions
from traditional Chinese public schools. They are
International and Private Schools sometimes branded ‘Bilingual Schools’ or ‘Experimental
Schools’. Some public schools in China now also offer
The demand for international schools in China is not lucrative ‘international streams’ that teach the national
waning anytime soon. Though the scene is relatively Chinese curriculum in both Chinese and English as an
young, there are now more than 600 English-speaking option to high school students (SI).
international schools in the country. Most are located in
Tier 1 cities, like Beijing and Shanghai, as well as other According to Xinhua News, the central government
provincial capitals, such as Chengdu and Guangzhou. of China is encouraging private investment in the
The latest forecasts for the number of students at English education industry in order to improve efficiency.
international schools in China will grow from 475,000 Private education has experienced rapid growth and has
350
