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The Evolution of China’s Primary and Secondary School Teacher Policy Since the Reform and Opening Up (1978-2023)

Zhixian Zhong, Meng Liu, Yiting Qiu, Zhenyu Deng*

Guide to Education Innovation / 2026,6(2): 119-137 / 2026-05-22 33 30

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• Information:

  Institute of Teacher Education for Advanced Study, Jiangxi Normal University, Nanchang

• Keywords:
  Teacher policies; Primary and secondary school teachers; Evolution stages; State; Characteristics
• Abstract: This study analyzes primary and secondary school teacher policy texts published between 1978 and 2023 to explore the overall landscape and evolution of China’s primary and secondary school teacher policy since the reform and opening-up in 1978. The research employs text analysis, word frequency analysis, and cluster analysis. The study outlines the evolution of China’s primary and secondary school teacher policies in four stages: the exploration and adjustment stage beginning with the restoration of normal education (1978-1992), the rapid evolution stage catalyzed by curriculum and teacher education reforms (1993-2005), the comprehensive development stage aimed at fostering educational balance (2006-2017), and the deepening reform stage focused on achieving high-quality development in the new era (2018-present). Utilizing techniques such as keyword extraction and thematic clustering, the research analyzes the evolutionary process and thematic shifts in China’s primary and secondary school teacher policies, outlining the developmental landscape and distinctive features of policy evolution.
• DOI: 10.35534/gei.0602011 (registering DOI)
• Cite: Zhong, Z. X., Liu, M., Qiu, Y. T., & Deng, Z. Y. (2026). The Evolution of China’s Primary and Secondary School Teacher Policy Since the Reform and Opening Up (1978-2023). Guide to Education Innovation, 6(2), 119-137.