县中振兴：让县中“找回底气”

Core Insights - The revitalization of county-level high schools is crucial for the growth and success of students, particularly in rural areas, reflecting China's commitment to educational equity and reducing urban-rural disparities [1][2] Group 1: Current Situation and Challenges - As of 2024, there are approximately 29.22 million students enrolled in regular high schools in China, with nearly 60% attending county-level schools, which play a vital role in connecting urban and rural education [2] - County high schools face unprecedented challenges due to urbanization, with over 66% of the population now living in urban areas, leading to a concentration of quality student resources in "super schools" and resulting in issues like overcrowded classrooms and teacher shortages in some counties [2][3] - The perception that county high schools do not lead to good university admissions has led to a loss of trust among students and parents, creating a vicious cycle of declining enrollment and quality [2] Group 2: Government Initiatives and Actions - The State Council has initiated a revitalization action for county high schools, emphasizing the need for scientific resource allocation and the construction of county-level high schools to adapt to urbanization and population flow trends [2][4] - Since the implementation of the "14th Five-Year Plan" for county high school development in 2021, various regions have taken targeted actions to stabilize enrollment and improve conditions, such as regulating admissions and curbing the "siphoning" of students by larger schools [4][5] Group 3: Resource Allocation and Support - The Ministry of Education has launched a project to support county high schools in underdeveloped regions through partnerships with universities, focusing on teacher training, curriculum development, and school management [5] - Central government funding has been directed towards improving infrastructure in county high schools, including the renovation of school buildings and the enhancement of teaching facilities [5][7] Group 4: Future Directions and Reforms - The upcoming "National County High School Revitalization Action Plan" aims to address existing shortcomings in county high school development, focusing on both hardware and software improvements [7][8] - Recommendations include establishing a financial support mechanism that involves both central and local governments, increasing investment in teacher training, and enhancing teacher compensation to retain talent [7] - There is a need to reform teaching and evaluation methods to move away from exam-oriented education, promoting a more holistic approach to student development [8]