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Meiji Enlightenment (1868-1912)
Japan, in an effort to modernize quickly. started introducing aspects of Western education models. A modern school system was achieved by the late 19th century. School subjects were organized and defined much like European schools, but an emphasis was given to the study foreign languages. -
Japanese Imperial Rescript
The concept of absolute loyalty to the Emperor and the preservation of traditional values were reinforced in Japanese society. -
China 1890-1911
At this time, China was impressed with Japan's enlightenment reforms and so attempted to create a modern education system much like theirs. They wanted to strengthen the nation through Western science and techonology while retaining their Confucian identity. This did not work. There was a complete rejection of Confucian hertiage as a value system and "as a antithetical to science and modernity" (Hayhoe, p. 34). -
Chinese Experimentation (1912-1920s)
During this time, China was most influenced by European models of education. Efforts were made to establish a foundation for primary education (5-6 years), as well as a small number of academic secondary schools which would lead to national univerisites.
Also during this time, "China's evident weakness on the global stage was [seen] as a result of its Confucian heritage" and that a focus on science and democray was the logical next step (Hayhoe, p. 34). -
China's Educational Law
Influenced by John and Alice Dewey, China "adopted American patterns of decentralized educational administration and community responsibility for schools" (Hayhow, p. 34). At this time, progressive education really only took place in urban centers, leaving most of the country illiterate. -
China's National Education System
The Nationalist Party put a lot of focus and effort into creating a national system of education - retaining the American structures while drawing on European ideas for the curriculum and national standards. -
The End of French Colonialism
The French relinquished control of Vietnam in 1939 but left it divided. -
American Occupation of Japan and Post War Reforms
A new constitution "committed the country to peace, democratization, and the decentralization of education" (Hayhoe, p. 32). Due to this influence, education became less hierarchical. Japan was also one of the first countries to require all teachers to have university degrees.
With these reforms, greater autonomy was given to teachers. There was still strong federal control of national curriculum and a "concern for shaping loyal citizens (Hayhoe, p. 33). -
Divergence of Taiwan
The Chinese Nationalist Party flees to Taiwan where they are supported in the development of the country into a scientific power by the Americans and built of the back of an already established Japanese infrastructure; "conscious efforts were made to recover aspects of the Confucian heritage of emphasis on family and community support for children's learning" (Hayhoe, p. 35). -
Chinese Communist Revolution
Educational development in China took a turn with Soviet advice and assistance. Educatoin was reformed to follow a Soviet model with "strong emphasis placed on basic education for all, then a highly academic secondary schooling system open to a small percentage of youth" mainly focused on urban areas but also "those selected fromt he working class to move into leadership positions" (Hayhoe, p. 35). The school structure stayed the same but higher education was drastically reformed. -
Chinese Communist Revolution (Continued)
The new system "trained experts to serve the rapd development of a strong solicalist economy" but contradictions emerged. Rural children and youth had little opportunity to advance beyond basic education.Culturally, there was unrest because the narrow specialization, segmentation of knowledge, and top-down centralized control went against the holistic knowledge traditions and community involvement patterns of Chinese learning. This created an intense reaction against Soviet influence. -
China's Great Leap Forward and Cultural Revolution (1958-1967)
Schooling was shortened. There were now 5 levels of primary schooling and 4 in secondary. Furthermore, "the curriculum was greatly broadened and access was opened up to the majority of young people to complete secondary education" (Hayhoe, p. 36). China saw a tremendous increase in the number of students attending secondary schools by 1965, when it reached 58 million up from 9. -
Singapore's Independence
Influence continued to be felt from the British education system, but there was a recovery of interest in native languages. The elitist education system became more open and higher education became more avaliable to the population. -
Vietnam War Ends
With the departure of American tropps, Vietnam was "unified under socialism and its educational patterns reflected Soviet influence" (Hayhoe, p. 37). Before the influence of the Soviet Union, Vietname had already been using education to invigorate the economy and open the minds of its children. -
The Rise of Deng Xiaoping
Both a pragmatist and a vetern Communist leader, Deng focused on modernizing and opening up China to the wider world and felt that education was the key. There was an increasing investment in education at this time, with more autonomy for teachers and "forms of educational planning that were focused on supporting the nation's economic and social development" (Hayhoe, p37). In particular, respect for teachers was reinforced and further support put into their academic and professional training. -
Korea's Growth After Marital Law
South Korea saw success in industrialization, as well as the creation of a science-based economy after marital law was lifted. Americans patterns had a large impact on education, but there were strong Indigenous elements prevalent from Confucianism and Buddhism as well. The country saw the achievement of mass higher education, an upgrading of teacher education, and the creation of a number of universities focused on teacher support. -
"One Country, Two Systems": Hong Kong and Macau
Hong Kong's return to China from its British colonizers saw a re-emphasis on the local Cantonese dialect, "a new approach to citizenship education, and an increasing emphasis on learning Madarin," as well as a shift away from the British educational structure (Hayhoe, p.39).
In 1999, Macau was given back to China by Portugal and has seen its education system gradually adjust to its Chinese context.
