fbpx

Chinese Education Models in the Global Age: What have we learned?

Chinese Education Models in the Global Age: What have we learned?

Latest Posts

Latest Posts

In recent years, international assessments such as PISA have placed countries of predominantly Chinese descent or influenced by the Chinese writing system and Confucian philosophy at the top of student performance rankings. Can a distinct “Chinese education model” be identified?

Professor Chuing Prudence Chou from the Department of Education at National Chengchi University (Taiwan) pondered these questions in a public talk at The HEAD Foundation on May 11.

Professor Chou spoke in detail about the motives behind the book, noting a lack of integrated efforts to address the topic, despite the increasing attention on the success of international assessments in Chinese-based education systems.

The book therefore aims to create a platform for debate and to encourage readers to consider the notion of a “Chinese education model” from multiple perspectives.

Professor Chou found that it is impossible to identify a singular model, as the plurality of Chinese education models stems from varied geographical, historical and cultural terms.

In building a theoretical framework to understand “Chinese education models”, Professor Chou emphasised that such models can be understood in terms of three characteristics: dynamism (constantly changing over time), hybridity (influenced by German, US, Japanese and other education models) and heterogeneity (manifested in different ways and contexts, from geographic region to institution type).

Additionally, Professor Chou explained how Chinese education models are made up of elements such as norms (of society, teaching and parenting, and learning processes), institutions (governmental, business and educational) and the role of individuals, such as teachers and students.

These elements work hand in hand and collectively define education models while being subjected to national and cultural contexts.

Join our mailing list

Stay updated on all the latest news and events

Mr Ho Swee Huat

Mr Ho Swee Huat is the Founder and Managing Director of Abacus Assets Advisors Pte Ltd. Before starting the company, he had an established career in the banking industry, with 20 years of experience in Singapore, Hong Kong and New York.

He was an Independent Director and Chairman of the Audit Committee of CapitaCommercial Trust Management LTD from 2004 to 2013.

He is the current Chairman of Autism Association (Singapore) which he co-founded with a group of parents in 1992. He is also Vice-Chairman of Eden School, a special school for children with autism.

Mr Ho holds a Master’s degree from the London School of Economics and Political Science, and a Liberal Arts degree in Economics from Hamilton College, USA.

He has been a member of the Board of the Foundation since its incorporation.