ABSTRACT
China has a long history of schooling. Its history can be traced back to the sixteenth century BC during the late Xia Dynasty (1523–1027 BC). Confucius (551–479 BC) left an indelible mark on Chinese education (Chen 1994), similar to that of Socrates in the West (Fung 1948), and his teachings formed the foundation of much of subsequent Chinese speculation on education. Influenced by Confucianism, a good education has always been highly valued in China, as people believe that education ensures not only the future and development of the individual but also the family and the country as a whole. China is a society investing individually and collectively in education. Chinese parents place a very high value on education and make great personal sacrifices to send their children to school and to university. Education is also high on governmental agendas.
