Chapter Seven A Review and Analysis of Ethnic Minority Education Policies in China over the Past Thirty Years

Abstract

This chapter uses Professor Xing Teng's definition of the education of ethnic minorities. According to Professor Teng, education of ethnic minorities is multicultural. In a multiethnic country such as China, the education of ethnic minorities is an integral part of national education. The Chinese government has always adhered to the principle of equality and unity among all ethnic groups, and has attached great importance to the development of education for ethnic minorities since the 1950s. The chapter examines the fairness problem in ethnic minority education with respect to the opportunity to attend school, access to educational resources, and educational outcomes. The minority education policies reviewed in the chapter include ethnic policies, education policies, and ethnic minority education policies. The top priority of ethnic minority education in China is to educate the young people of minority areas in such a way to cultivate their ethnic and national identities. Keywords:Chinese nationalities; ethnic minority education; Professor Xing Teng