Curriculum reforms in primary schools and teacher perspectives in China

Abstract

In 2001 the Chinese government initiated school curriculum reforms, which focus on educational philosophy, curriculum structures, teaching and learning methods, and assessment. The aim of this reform project was to help develop competence-based education in contrast to the long-time dominating academic-focused education in basic schooling. This project set higher standards on teachers, whose understanding and attitudes towards the reforms as well as their competence in teaching the new curriculum are crucial for the outcomes. Two authors of this paper conducted a survey to over 9000 primary school teachers in Beijing, sponsored by Beijing Municipal Commission of Education. This paper attempts to analyse the survey data in the aspects of teachers’ understanding of the new curriculum, their attitudes to the new curriculum, and their views on the prospects of the new curriculum. The authors will discuss the current situation of school education in China and highlight problems for the reforms.