China’s Lifelong Education: In Comparison with United States’ Lifelong Education

Abstract

Lifelong education is a core concept in the modern education system, but it is little established and practised in China. Therefore, this study, in view of the growing importance of lifelong education in China, was undertaken in comparison with United States' lifelong education. As in most of current literature on China's lifelong education, such comparison is ignored or overlooked. The study examined the similarities and differences between two countries in developing and cultivating the mechanism and strategy of lifelong education as well as the contributing factors in development of lifelong education in two countries, which was discussed with equal parity and with the goal of learning from both systems. Significant differences were found in the mechanism and perceptions about lifelong education in two countries. The underlying reasons that may account for such differences, from the government's legislation and policy on lifelong education to the contributing factors are discussed extensively.