History of education in China

History of China
ANCIENT
3 Sovereigns and 5 Emperors
Xia Dynasty 2100–1600 BCE
Shang Dynasty 1600–1046 BCE
Zhou Dynasty 1045–256 BCE
Western Zhou
Eastern Zhou
Spring and Autumn Period
Warring States Period
IMPERIAL
Qin Dynasty 221 BCE–206 BCE
Han Dynasty 206 BCE–220 CE
Western Han
Xin Dynasty
Eastern Han
Three Kingdoms 220–280
Wei, Shu and Wu
Jin Dynasty 265–420
Western Jin	16 Kingdoms 304–439
Eastern Jin
Southern and Northern Dynasties 420–589
Sui Dynasty 581–618
Tang Dynasty 618–907
(Second Zhou 690–705)
5 Dynasties and 10 Kingdoms 907–960	Liao Dynasty 907–1125
Song Dynasty 960–1279
Northern Song		W. Xia
Southern Song	Jin
Yuan Dynasty 1271–1368
Ming Dynasty 1368–1644
Qing Dynasty 1644–1911
MODERN
Republic of China 1912–1949
People's Republic of China 1949–present	Republic of China (Taiwan) 1949–present
Related articles  Chinese historiography Timeline of Chinese history Dynasties in Chinese history Linguistic history Art history Economic history Education history Science and technology history Legal history Media history Military history Naval history

The history of education in China began with the birth of Chinese civilization. The nobles often set up the educational establishments for their offspring. Establishment of the civil service examinations (advocated in the Warring States period, originated in Han, founded in Tang) was instrumental in transition from the aristocratic to meritocratic government.

Shang and Zhou Dynasties

The Shang Hsiang was a legendary school to teach the youth nobles. The government founded five national schools to educate Six Arts of junior nobles.

Hundred Schools of Thought

At that time, numerous different schools enrolled the students. The most famous one was the Confucianism and its leader Confucius was seen as the founder of education for the masses. One of his sayings was Provide education for all people without discrimination (Chinese:有教无类 yǒu-jiào-wú-lèi). Another was Teach according to the student's ability (Chinese: 因材施教 yīn-cái-shī-jiào).

The different schools were often organized into political entities to gain social influence. The most strict system of education belonged to Mohists. Rival scholars were invited to courts; governmental sponsorship led to the development of the first Chinese academies. Importance of education and respect to the teachers was stressed in the Annals of Lü Buwei.

Qin era

In the 200's BC, Qin Shi Huang favored Legalism (Chinese philosophy),and regarded others as either dangerous to his rule or useless,so he carried out burning of books and burying of scholars. He suppressed all non-state official ideas. Similar to ancient Greece and Rome, the patriarchal nature of Qin society meant that women were usually not educated and stayed home to do housework.

Confucianism as the education doctrine

Emperor Wu of Han favored Confucianism and made it as the national educational doctrine.The Taixue was set up to turn out civil servant for the empire. Imperial examination began at 605, and the educational system for Chinese Empire was finaled modeled until the abolishment in 1905, and replaced by modern Western Education.

Meanwhile art school Pear Garden appeared in early 8th century, and in 1178 national military school Wu Xue (zh:武学) was set up.

Properties of local schools

Imperial examination required the competitors to pass their local cutting score before the final examination in capitol. So the private school prevailed. White Deer Grotto Academy and Donglin Academy were their models.

The invention of Paper and Movable type greatly boosted the educational industry.

The introduction of modern education

Following the defeat of the Chinese empire in the Opium Wars, modern western education was eagerly sought out in the domains of foreign languages, national defence, and new techniques of industrial production. The Capital Foreign Language House (zh:京师 同文馆) (jīng-shī tóng-wén-guǎn) was set up in 1862. Countless overseas students were sent by the government or by their families to Europe, USA, and Japan. In the late 19th century, several modern universities were founded, such as Peking University and Jiaotong University.

See also

• Imperial examination
• Guozijian (Imperial Academies)
• Academies (China)
• Hanlin Academy
  • Yuelu Academy
  • White Deer Grotto Academy

• Education in the People's Republic of China