ABSTRACT
This chapter describes education reforms under the banner of 'quality education' implemented in China since 1985. The quest for quality has broadly framed the main policy goals of many reforms. The term 'quality education' was originally coined as an antithesis to 'examination-oriented education'. One important issue facing the chinese communist party during the late 1970s and early 1980s was to transform the educational system into a more responsive enterprise that would make itself relevant to societal needs. Curriculum reform is believed to be crucial to the successful implementation of 'quality education' and was an important initiative in the shift from the singular focus on examinations in China. In China, local governments at all levels have bureaus of education responsible for providing educational services and implementing national educational policies. Recognising the importance of the principal within the broader reform environment, in 1989 the State Education Commission issued Strengthening the Training for Principals of Elementary and Secondary Schools Nation-Wide.
