Who Decided College Access in Chinese Secondary Education? Rural-urban Inequality of Basic Education in Contemporary China

Abstract

This paper investigates the rural-urban inequalities in basic education of contemporary China. The China Education Panel Survey (2013-2014) (CEPS) was utilized to analyze the gaps between rural and urban inequality in junior high schools in terms of three domains, which include the equalities of access, inputs, and outcomes. From the sociocultural and sociopolitical perspective, the household registration system impeded the improvement and development of Chinese basic education. The study found that insufficient funding and support provided the cumulative negative impacts on educational mobility and equality. The regional basic education divide was caused by ineffective and unequal allocation of education resources. This analysis also addresses a number of pertinent economic and political issues related to basic education in current China.