Education for Migrant Children in Beijing

Abstract: The purpose of this study is to examine how education policies directed towards migrant students are carried out in practice, using a school in Beijing as a case study. Equal education for all is a concept that has come late to China despite the progressive attitudes towards education put forth by Confucius over 3000 years ago. Along with the economic reforms of the 1970’s and China’s emergence into the global market, western concepts of The Universal Rights of Children, especially in regards to free and equal compulsory education, have become visible and challenging issues for the Chinese government. Despite government efforts, the findings show that education between migrant and urban students is not equal. Migrant students are still required to obtain a set of certifications and are not always treated equally in the classroom. Unequal practices are upheld through the government decentralization of education practices, putting decision making power in the hands of the local municipalities and the institutional hukou system that perpetuates a system of “a dual division of urban and rural residency, which forms a structural basis for the social welfare system in China” (Wu & Treiman, 2004:81). This thesis posits that more efforts are needed and suggests some policies recommendations that can improve the equality of education.