ABSTRACT
Chapter 3 examines the philosophy under which education reform is currently being advanced, as well as the specific qualities and abilities that are encouraged today in young students in China. To do so, the authors will first examine the trajectory of education curriculum reform (which is becoming increasingly decentralised) to better understand the larger framework for education reform in China. They will then look at the developments surrounding nationalisation, which comprise virtue education curricula and textbooks in schools, from the perspective of civics education. Next, this chapter will focus on the aforementioned concept of Core Competencies and examine contents of the qualities and abilities that are promoted and cultivated in today’s students. Teachers are key in the development of these abilities, and as such, the final enquiry will focus on reforms in teacher education. Through these enquiries, it becomes apparent that advancing all aspects of education through education reform is a matter of national interest in China, and must occur for it to remain competitive and survive in a globalised economy; the current situation is one in which the development of high-level human resources is increasingly emphasised as an educational focus.
