ABSTRACT
Groups of scientists and teachers were appointed to develop new instructional goals for precollege science teaching and to compile supportive textbooks. Science is taught with the expectation that what is learned will serve the interests of people, promote the socialist cause, and advance the culture. The educational system in China has been in almost constant turmoil since the establishment of the People's Republic in 1949. The goals of science education are expected to serve the national policies for science and technology. The student teacher is observed daily by faculty members from the appropriate academic department and from the college of education. Appropriateness for Chinese educational goals and national science and technology policies was carefully considered. With these criteria in mind, the Ministry of Education established specific guidelines for compiling the unified textbooks. The Ministry of Education sets the minimum number of days per school year for instruction in a course.
