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A recent survey conducted by Educator magazine and various Chinese education research institutes has shed light on the challenges faced by vocational teachers in China, despite a strong desire for career advancement.
The nationwide online survey targeting university, junior college, and secondary school vocational educators revealed that many are encountering difficulties when it comes to professional development. The respondents comprised 15,724 out of approximately 1.36 million vocational teachers currently working across the nation.
According to the report summarizing this investigation, only a small fraction less than half have participated in educational reform projects at city or higher levels and published research papers. Additionally, an overwhelming majority 88 have not acquired national patents, which can be advantageous for career progression within China.
The survey emphasizes that there is still considerable room for improvement in the professional skills of vocational school teachers as far as pedagogical innovation and scholarly contributions are concerned.
In contrast to their high motivation for career growth and academic enhancement, especially among younger educators below 40 years old, only a minority 21 hold undergraduate degrees or higher.
The findings suggest that vocational teachers often lack a strong sense of purpose at work, leading some to feel less committed to their institutions. This may impact the stability of the workforce.
The survey points out that policymakers should consider expanding opportunities for vocational educators to engage in pedagogical research and scholarly publication as career advancement prospects are currently insufficient. It is believed this could help stabilize the vocational teaching force.
Vocational education begins after middle school, which has faced long-standing criticisms over its perceived lower quality compared to regular secondary schools. This competition drives up pressure on Chinese parents around high school entrance exams.
Recognizing these challenges, policymakers have recently sought to elevate vocational education in China's legal framework, making it on par with general education for the first time last year.
Efforts are also being made by investing heavily into improving faculty and infrastructure within the country's vocational education sector. Official data shows that investments in vocational education increased from 1.8 trillion yuan approximately $260 billion from 2018 to 2022, with an annual average growth rate of 6.2.
However, there are signs suggesting that educational authorities might be shifting their focus away from the heavy investment on vocational education recently announced. This comes as the Ministry of Education announced plans in late August to increase investments in building more traditional secondary schools alongside combined vocational-secondary progra better meet people's desire for a good education.
In , while China is making strides to improve the perception and resources allocated to vocational education, this survey underscores the need for further support and opportunities to develop both the skills of educators and their professional growth prospects.
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Chinese Vocational Teacher Career Development Challenges National Online Survey on Vocational Educators Professional Skills Improvement Needed in Vocation Education Younger Educators Motivation and Undergraduate Degrees Policy Considerations for Stabilizing Vocational Workforce Increased Investments vs. Shifts in Educational Focus