ABSTRACT
Post–1977 Chinese educational policies show clearly the authorities' intention to develop primary education on a two-track basis with urban academic schools on one hand and rural work-study schools on the other. The education of rural children has always been a responsibility of rural communities. The Chinese have had a long tradition of village schools supported by local resources. A common practice in other stratified educational systems is for students who excel in primary school to be transferred to better primary schools in which chances for promotion to the next level of education are greater. The educational authorities recognise the difficulties that rural communes encounter in striving to popularise primary education. Education after 1977 has been assigned the arduous task of training competent people for the realisation of the country's modernisation goals. The educational authorities recognise the difficulties that rural communes encounter in striving to popularise primary education.
