Stratification in China’s Education

A large body of research has shown growing class inequalities in educational attainment in post-Mao China. The more advantaged families have benefited more from educational expansion and development. This article argues that class inequalities in education are unlikely to decline under the Xi Jinping leadership. While Xi makes frequent references to Maoist ideas and concepts, he is also pushing for the “innovation-driven development” strategy, which will continue to stratify China’s educational system in favour of elite schools and universities. At the policy level, there will be initiatives seeking to reduce educational inequality. However, there will not be an overhaul as radical as in the Mao era.