The Сhinese education system: theory and methodology of reform

Abstract

This article examines the theoretical foundations and methodological approaches to reforming the education system of the People's Republic of China from the 1980s to the present. It analyzes the main areas of modernization in Chinese education, including the transition from an examination-oriented model to a competency-based paradigm, the integration of traditional Confucian values with modern pedagogical technologies, and strategies for ensuring equal access to quality education in the context of socioeconomic heterogeneity across regions. Particular attention is paid to the conceptual foundations of the reforms, such as the theory of socialist education with Chinese characteristics and the methodology for the phased implementation of innovations through pilot programs. Specific examples of successful educational reforms are presented, including the restructuring of the gaokao system, the 211 and 985 programs for the development of world-class universities, and initiatives to digitalize the educational space. The results of the study demonstrate that the Chinese experience of educational reform is characterized by a combination of centralized planning and regional adaptation, which allows for the preservation of cultural identity while achieving global educational standards.