ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the policy–practice decoupling in the Chinese education inspection system from the 1970s to date. In China, two ideologies underpin the education inspection system. Under the communist regime, inspectors are expected to uphold socialist values and to monitor schools' and local education bureaus' compliance with the Communist Party's policies. Meanwhile, influenced by the neoliberalism, inspectors are part of the education quality control mechanism.
Our findings highlight three major challenges faced by inspectors. First, the relationship between local education bureau and inspection office remains ambiguous. To maintain the face-saving culture, inspectors sometimes subvert the inspection validity to present a harmonious picture of the whole education system. Second, the recruitment and professionalisation of inspectors are challenged by the local governments' lack of resources and will to dismiss unqualified inspectors. Third, there is a lack of career advancement system for Chinese inspectors.
