Chapter Five An Overview of Studies in Vocational Education Policy in China over the Past Thirty Years

Abstract

The three stages of development of secondary vocational education over the past thirty years are discussed in this article. There are four types of secondary vocational education in China: specialized secondary schools, skilled worker schools, vocational schools, and specialized secondary schools for adults. Vocational schools located in western and eastern China, in rural areas and urban areas, should cooperate with each other in student admissions and exchange experiences in running vocational schools. In short, great achievements have been made in the development of vocational education policies in the past thirty years. Developing secondary vocational education is considered essential to popularizing secondary education in China. Further, secondary vocational education should be the core and get top priority in the development of vocational education in China. Keywords:China; vocational education policies; vocational education policy