The Chinese education system is much different than America’s. Leaving the university level aside, there is a great difference in the basic level of both systems between how education appears on the surface and why it appears so.
In the Chinese system, the scores suggest that students are knowledgeable. However, that system focuses on the testing of knowledge. The content of these tests are not very beneficial to students in the real world though. In American education students learn to use knowledge in society. China and America have a very different focus in their curricula. It is common to see students take part in volunteer community service after school in the American system. That is possible because they have much less homework and more free time than the Chinese students. That’s good because they learn real life skills in this way.
American education is for the cultivation of creativity and critical thinking skills. Chinese education is more about imparting knowledge to students. This is because all Chinese people have to face much more competitive pressure. There are so many people in this country that schools have to use some simple method to assess students at each level. The more successful students would have more and better work opportunities. It may be the fairest way for most students.
The American education system is much better and more useful for students’ future life. It is really hard for China to change its foundational education system. I’m glad to say that a reformation in China has started. May it build momentum and flourish.