Education for Economic and Social Transformation in Rural China

Book excerpt: Liu and Cowan offer a unique in-depth study of educational development and social transformation in rural China. It foregrounds identifiable settings and personalities, engaging readers with the voices and experiences of people who are involved with the education system. This book explores the link between educational transformation and local economic regeneration. The research covers important phases of the educational development programme outlined by the County’s tow five-year education plans. It records a wide range of perspectives on Chinese rural education from stakeholders engaged with the education service. It reveals the contingent and different factors that lie behind the complex pattern of the educational development process. This research also illustrates how education policy is administered and driven forward through the local officers working closely with school leaders. This intriguing look at rural Chinese educational development will interest academics and students specializing in the study of education and international development, Chinese education and society, education policy studies and modern China studies