Examining Macro-Policy Development Stages of Vocational Education in China: A Retrospective Policy Analysis

Abstract

Abstract Since the reform and opening up, China’s vocational education has experienced a process of gradual recovery and development, which can be divided into five stages: the recovery and establishment period (1978–1984), the simultaneous development period (1985–1990), the sustained development period (1991–1998), the consolidation and adjustment period (1999–2009) and the strategic development period (2010-present). There are some problems, such as low degree of recognition, insufficient degree of adaptation to industrial development, incomplete school management system and lagging teacher team construction. To better cope with the challenges of the new era, we can accelerate the school-enterprise cooperation and industry-education integration, adapt to the changes brought by digital technology to vocational education, improve the management system of vocational education schools, strengthen the construction of vocational education teachers and other ways to promote the high-quality and balanced development of vocational education.