Comparison of Education in 2 Countries

Education in China and Uzbekistan 

The countries that I am choosing for the analyses are China and Uzbekistan. My reason for China is an ever present curiosity to know more about the Chinese systems, for it is our neighbour. Uzbekistan is chosen for I know nothing about the country and would like to explore it through education.

Education in China

Purposes for Chinese education can be seen in two parts, the Confucius influenced and the Post Confucius influenced eras. Earlier, education under the influence of philosophy of Confucius was a privilege for the upper class only. The purpose was to prepare the elites to govern the empire. There was a clean split between who deserved to be educated and who did not. The second era was, with the influence of Han dynasty, when education became ‘for all’. This is the beginning of public school education with the objective to develop a good citizen for the country. The first era kept the upper and lower classes separate but the second era allowed a free movement using education as a base for all to the upper class (Africa, 2020).

Education in Uzbekistan

Purpose of education in Uzbekistan can be seen in three parts (Khalid, 2002), (a) Traditional education governed by the mosques in the form of ‘Maktabs’ where the purpose of education was continuation of Islamic tradition; (b) Education under the Soviet where education was the key to making of the society and culture (Khalid, 2002). The Soviets saw religion a barrier for education and set up schools independent of religion across the country with a focus on providing literacy to all; and (c) Education post independence in 1991. This is a mixture of many features from the past. There is a resurgence of Islamic education, under control of the government. Soviet initiated education also continues, albeit in a milder form. The government, in an attempt to move to market economy, is working towards creating a set of educational standards that lead to having stronger brains in the country.

Compare and Contrast

At the outset what is clear that education began in both countries with the influence of religion. Education was also highly valued in both countries. Chinese considered education above all values (openlearn, 2008) while the Uzbeks had Maktabs that attracted students from far and wide to learn the basics of Islamic religion and incorporate them in life (Khalid, 2002). While Chinese education changed through the rule of Han dynasty, the Uzbeks’ changed through the foray of Soviets. In both countries, education changed from being provided to elites to for masses. In that way one can say that perhaps the colonizing freed the countries from the religion dominated educational methods.

The key break off is the present times. While in China education is modernized with schools all over, the Uzbeks are still reeling under the pressure of economic struggles and working their way to a good educational structure. Both have structures of primary and secondary schools but the Chinese also have systems in place for teacher development (openlearn, 2008) that help enhance education, at least in urban areas. China has disparity; schools in urban cities do well while the ones in rural zones the struggles of teachers and money continue.

Conclusion

This assignment was quite an eye opener for me. As I see threads of educational path similar in the countries yet at present they are as opposite as they can be. While China is a roaring economic success and has a robust modern education system, Uzbeks are struggling, thought he intent is the same. I see that education in both countries started with elites only religion dominated education. It is the infiltration of the countries that broke the education of from elites only to mass education. I can’t but help draw parallel between Indian education (Rothermund, 2002) where the British occupation released Indians from the elite’s only ancient education controlled by the gurukul.

I am not sure if I agree with what is a natural evolutionary progression of events. While I respect the ancient education, but I am not in consonance with the elitism that it propagated. While I disagree with the mass education, I can see that at least it has created an equal society.

Perhaps we need to go back to the purpose of education and ask ourselves questions about it. While ancient education focuses on students clarifying their personal values (Learninginmind, n.d.) modern education focuses on literacy for all. Which one is better? This question can only be answered by answering what is the focus of the society in which the educational ethos is placed.



References

1. Africa, M. (2020, July 04). Purpose of Education in China. Retrieved from https://mitchelafrica.com/2020/07/02/purpose-of-education-in-china/
2. Khalid, A (2002) Uzbekistan-education system. In Encyclopedia of Modern Asia. (pp. 47-49). [pdf] Retrieved March 1, 2018, from Retrieved March 1, 2018, from http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/CX3403703132/GVRL?u=lirn17237&sid=GVRL&xid=b68954b4
3. Learning in Mind. (n.d.). The Meaning and Purpose of Education. Retrieved February 26, 2018, from http://learninginmind.com/meaning-of-education.php
4. Open Learn. (2008, March 28). Chinese education: How do things work? Retrieved March 01, 2018, from http://www.open.edu/openlearn/society/international-development/international-studies/chinese-education-how-do-things-work
5. Rothermund, D. (2002) India-education system. In Encyclopedia of Modern Asia. (pp. 17-20) [pdf] Retrieved March 1, 2018 from http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/CX3403701275/GVRL?u=lirn17237&sid=GVRL&xid=b45fe10f