Students in Poverty: How to Keep Persistent in Schooling—A Case Study on the Poor Students’ Pursuing Schooling Experience in Different Ages of China

Abstract

Education of citizens is a hot topic concerned by governments and educators in China. Over the past 60 years, the Chinese government has adopted different policies of educational subsidies in different periods, benefiting many students from poor families. In addition to direct financial aid, there are other factors affecting poor students’ schooling. This study interviewed seven individuals from low-income families who studied in different ages, from 1950s to 2010s. The issues covered in the interview included the family's economic situation during their schooling, kinds of financial support they once got from schools and the government, parents’ attitude towards their studying, and the attitude of individuals towards learning in financial difficulty, etc. and studied individuals how to overcome the economic difficulties and complete the learning process under the influence of internal and external factors. The study showed that the respondents’ successful ones of different ages were all benefited from the financial support from the state and schools. Their yearning for formal school education and their recognition of the value of knowledge are the intrinsic driving forces for them to adhere to their studies. When the government and schools provide much direct financial assistance to poor students, they should also take active measures to improve students’ attitude towards school education and knowledge, stimulating their enthusiasm and initiative in learning, take measures to promote students’ learning ability, improving their academic self-confidence, which plays an important role in deciding whether poor individuals can persisting in schooling.