Embodiment of Educational Inequality in Chinese Education System

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Education is frequently seen as the foundation of an equitable and prosperous society today. It can influence people’s lives in a variety of ways. Education is robust because it can impact personal growth, improved well-being, career success, and positive societal contributions, making it a cornerstone of individual and shared progress. However, despite the admirable goals of education, inequalities still exist and prevent it from reaching its full potential.
Educational inequality is a complex problem that still exists. Educational inequalities manifest in various dimensions, often correlated with socioeconomic status, race, gender, geographical location, and disabilities. These inequalities result from multiple factors, including unequal funding distribution, limited access to learning resources, institutional biases, and cultural prejudices (Jansen, 2019). For instance, it is known that education remains a pivotal determinant of economic mobility. People with superior education often gain entry to higher-paying jobs, thereby perpetuating economic inequality.
Meanwhile, inadequate education restricts opportunities, perpetuating cycles of poverty. In addition, educational disparities reinforce societal divides, promoting stereotypes and biases. This event perpetuates social divisions and weakens the social fabric. Hence, there is a need to resolve the existing educational disparities. However, resolving these disparities requires multifaceted approaches.
While the battle against educational inequalities is formidable, it is not insurmountable. The disparities can be addressed through a concerted effort encompassing governments, communities, educators, and individuals. The aspiration is an education system where equitable access, quality instruction, and inclusive practices prevail, offering a pathway for all individuals, regardless of their origins, to contribute positively to society.
Context
The Chinese education system is no exception to the educational inequalities. While China has made significant strides in expanding access to education, disparities in quality, resources, and opportunities continue to plague the system. China’s rapid economic growth has transformed it into a global powerhouse. As the nation focused on modernization and development, it faced the challenge of providing education to its vast population. While tremendous progress has been achieved in improving access to education, disparities remain due to factors such as urban-rural divides, regional imbalances, household incomes, and hukou (Guo et al., 2019). Therefore, these factors contribute to differing educational resources, teacher quality, and curricular offerings between privileged urban areas and less-developed rural regions.
For instance, the various household income of Chinese families has been a significant factor in the educational disparities. Some families can afford to enroll their children in after-school programs or private tutoring. The program is positively associated with student academic achievement and self-confidence (Zheng et al., 2020). However, some families need help to enroll their children in programs like this. Moreover, the hu...