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The ‘open-door’ policy and the reform of mathematics education in the People's Republic of China

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Abstract

The People's Republic of China, in its attempt to achieve rapid industrialization and close its developmental gap with the Western world, has made mathematics a priority subject in its school curricula. Under the effects of the Great Cultural Revolution, the Chinese educational system has been completely reformed. The resulting reforms of mathematics teaching and learning have been particularly dramatic. This article examines those reforms, their background, philosophy, and particular relevance to the Chinese society.

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Notes and references

  1. For a detailed discussion on the effects of the Cultural Revolution on education, see: FrankSwetz, ‘Chinese Education and the Great Cultural Revolution: A Search for Relevance’, Contemporary Education (January, 1973), 44: 155–60.

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  2. Kung Chun-ko, ‘Operations of Open-Door Schools is a Profound Revolution,’ Kuangming Jih-pao (People's Daily), Peking, November 13, 1970; ‘Put Mao Tse-tung Thought in Command, Carry Out Open-Door Compilation of Teaching Materials,’ Kwang-ming Jih-pao Peking, September 6, 1971, p.2.

  3. ‘Open Door Schooling is Good’ China Reconstructs (July, 1976), 25: 7–12.

  4. The development of mathematics teaching in the PRC is traced out in FrankSwetz, Mathematics Education in China: Its Growth and Development (Cambridge, Mass: The MIT Press, 1974).

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  5. See Bohdan O. Szuprowicz, ‘China's Computer Industry’ Datamation, (June, 1975), pp. 83–88.

  6. Ibid. p. 85.

  7. See StephenSalaff, ‘A Biography of Hua Lo-keng,’ Isis (June, 1972), 63, 143–83.

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  8. HuaLo-keng, ‘Applications of Mathematical Methods to Wheat Harvesting,’ Acta Mathematica Sinica, 1961, 1: 77–91.

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  9. Ibid., p. 78.

  10. Middle and Primary School mathematics Pedagogical Reform Research Group, Peking Normal University, ‘Suggestions on the Modernization of the Mathematics Curricular Materials for Middle and Primary Schools,’ Shuxue Tongbao (April, 1960), pp. 4–10.

  11. Lin Ch'eng-chu, ‘My Views on Middle School Pedagogical Reform,’ Shuxue Tongbao (May, 1960), pp. 17 and 41.

  12. ‘Kirin Normal University Reforms Mathematics and Education Systems,’ Kuang-ming Jih-pao (April 27, 1960) p.2.

  13. Ho Tso-ch'uang, ‘The Function of the Mathematical Method in the Cognition of the Objective World,’ Hung-Ch'i (Red Flag) Peking, (May 16, 1962).

  14. RobertMcCormick, Report from China: ‘Revolution in Education Committees,’ China Quarterly (January/March, 1974) 57: 133–39.

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  15. Information on post-GRC reforms supplied by members of an American Pure and Applied Mathematics Delegation that visited the PRC from May 3 to May 27, 1976.

  16. Shi Wan ge Weishenne, (One Hundred Thousand Questions). (Shanghai: People's Publishing House, 1970) Vol 1; See Genevieve Dean, ‘Science and Politics in China: Reflections on One Hundred Thousand Questions.’ Science Studies (1974) 4: 93–96.

  17. ‘Strive to Build a Socialist University of Science and Engineering,’ Hung Ch'i (August, 1970).

  18. Mao Tse-tung On Practice (1973); see Anne Fremantle, Mao Tse-tung; An Anthology of His Writings (New York: Mentor, 1962), p. 200.

  19. Shu Li, ‘How Did the Theory of Calculus Evolve?’ Hung Ch'i (January, 1973) pp. 71–79.

  20. Information supplied by May 3rd visiting delegation.

  21. Lee Edson, ‘Computer’ (in Chinese characters) Think (June, 1974) pp. 18–23.

  22. Applications of Mathematics in Industry and Agriculture (Peking: Education Department of the City of Peking, 1975).

  23. ‘Mathematicians Among Workers-Popularizing a Quick Method of Seeking the Best Plan’ Peking Review (December 15, 1972) 15: 13–14.

  24. ChuK'ai-hua, Ch'enWen-ch'in, ‘Applications of Cycloid Curves in Farm Machines,’ Mathematics, Its Cognition and Practice (1975) 3: 11–16; Fu-ch'eng Commune, Kwangtung Province, ‘An Experiment on Fertilizing Rice with Nitrogen, Phosphorous and Potassium’ (Orthogonal Design), 2: 26–29; Gear Research Group, Mathematics Department, Nan-ka'i University, ‘Mathematical Foundations and the Theory of Gears’ (1976) 1: 52–62.

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  25. See Genevieve Dean, ‘Science and the Thought of Chairman Mao’ New Scientist (February, 1970) pp. 298–99; C. K. Jen, ‘Science and the Open-Doors Educational Movement,’ China Quarterly (December, 1975) pp. 741–747.

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  1. The Pennsylvania State University, Pennsylvania

    Frank Swetz

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  1. Frank Swetz
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Swetz, F. The ‘open-door’ policy and the reform of mathematics education in the People's Republic of China. Educ Stud Math 8, 461–478 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00310948

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