Summary

In a recently-published document, China's Ministry of Education and six other government bodies have pledged to enhance training to support the country's social services. The document sets out a goal to expand the scale of education in areas such as nursing and midwifery, elder care, housekeeping services, health management, traditional Chinese medicine services, childcare and other related fields, particularly at the higher vocational level but also covering secondary, bachelor's degree and postgraduate education.

Specific goals include improving teaching standards, developing high-quality textbooks and other course materials, enhancing school-enterprise cooperation, encouraging innovation and entrepreneurship, and piloting the "1+X" certification system which encourages students at higher vocational colleges to earn professional qualifications at the same time as their diploma.

International cooperation and exchange is also included in the plans. The government aiming to "actively introduce" overseas professional and technical standards and sets a goal for 30 universities and vocational colleges to develop new programmes in relevant fields based on overseas curriculums and teaching management systems. Teaching staff at vocational colleges are encouraged to study abroad, while international exchange will also be promoted.

A different recent announcement on revisions to China's national scholarship policy also emphasises the importance of higher vocational study, with an additional 10,000 merit-based scholarships for students studying at the country's higher vocational colleges. The same announcement revised the rules for these scholarships to require applicants to hold Chinese citizenship.

Analysis by Kevin Prest, Senior Analyst, British Council International Education Services

Although the new policy has comparatively little direct impact on international education it does illustrate the importance China places on developing social services such elder care to meet the country's changing demographics, and the role that education will play in meeting these challenges. It also shows that the Ministry of Education welcomes international education cooperation in these areas.

When considering the changes to China's national scholarship policy, it is important to note that these scholarships have always been aimed at local students studying in domestic universities or higher vocational institutions. They should not be confused with the scholarships offered to international students in China or those aimed at Chinese students studying abroad, and the changes will therefore not affect international student mobility to or from China.

Sources

1. China Higher Education Student Information and Career Center - Ministry of Education and Ministry of Finance announce "Application rules for undergraduate national scholarships" (in Chinese): https://gaokao.chsi.com.cn/gkxx/zcdh/201910/20191008/1831805530.html

2. Ministry of Education - Ministry of Education and other departments issue opinions on education to support the development of social services (in Chinese): http://www.gov.cn/xinwen/2019-10/09/content_5437395.htm