Reforming the curriculum of teacher education : Framing the future of quality education in China

Reform for “Quality Education” has taken place in Mainland China since the issue of “Summary of Reform and Development of Education in China” (1993). Despite the government’s intention to take care of all students, foster all-round development and promote students’ active learning, gaining high grades in examination remains the goal of learning for most students. Among other factors, the quality of teachers and their belief about education has been regarded as a determinant for the success of reform. In a study conducted in Guangzhou with teacher educators, it was noted that development of teacher education in the last decade lagged behind the development of basic education. The problem of “filling new bottles with old wine” becomes apparent. This paper attempts to anlayse the situation and discuss how the reform of curriculum of teacher education in China may bring about the desired change in basic education.