In today’s Talking Points: Australian Education Exports Boosted by Chinese Students, Innovation need in Australia’s Education System, Increasing Educational Opportunities in China, China to foster more quality teachers
Australian Education Exports Boosted by Chinese Students
The value of Australian education exports rose 19.7% in 2017, according to figures releases Tuesday by the Australian Bureau of Statistics. Altogether education exports were valued at $AUD30.9billion, with 32% derived from Chinese international students. Previously the ABS reported the growth rate of education sales to China at 28% from 2015-16 to 2016-17. By volume, Chinese students numbers increased 17.6%, while Indian student numbers rose 12.9%. Education exports represents the value of everything students spend inclusive of tuition, living costs etc. Currently Victoria and New South Wales account for 70% of total education exports.
Read More: The Australian
Innovation needed in Australia’s Education System
A greater emphasis on STEM subjects and future-proofing students are some of the key points from the Australian government’s ‘2030, Prosperity through Innovation’ paper. The Department of Industry, Innovation and Science released their strategic plan in the wake of falling education standards and results across Australia. Among the recommendations are strengthening training of pre/in-service teachers and the Vocational Education & Training system. The overarching theme of theme the paper is to equip Australian students with the skills necessary and relevant to help them succeed in 2030.
Read More: ISA
Increasing Educational Opportunities in China
A survey published in People’s Daily estimates that over 290 million Chinese would be willing to pay for online educational programs and Q&A platforms. In 2015, approximately 48 million Chinese paid for video or audio educational programs; this number tripled in 2017 to 188 million. Education has been a focal point for the Chinese Government, particularly since the 19th Party Congress. Indeed, there has been a focus both on the online development of the education industry, but also on the traditional way of learning. This year, for instance, China requires local governments to increase investment in public libraries, listing them in their budget and development plans. A further survey found that this law would make people more likely to visit libraries.
Read More: Xinhua
China to foster more quality teachers
China aims to train millions of teachers by 2035, focussing on comprehensive quality, professional level and innovation. What is more, for the first time since 1949, the regulation is also aimed at tackling the imbalance between teachers in rural and urban areas. The Communist Party of China Central Committee and the State Council aim to further reform the teaching system in China in order to modernize it. In total, China has close to 16 million teachers countrywide. The regulation has also made teachers’ ethics and professional competence an important part of this development program.
Read More: Xinhua