The Education Law was promulgated in 1995 and amended in 2009 and 2015 respectively. The latest revision entered into force on June 1, 2016.

There are 86 articles in total.

The key points are as follows:

1.Citizens of the People’s Republic of China shall have the right and obligation to receive education. All citizens, regardless of ethnic group, race, sex, occupation, property status or religious belief, shall enjoy equal opportunities for education according to law.

2.The standard spoken and written Chinese language shall be the basic language used by schools and other educational institutions in education and teaching. Schools and other educational institutions dominated by ethnic minority students in ethnic autonomous areas shall, according to the actual circumstances, use the standard spoken and written Chinese language and the spoken and written language of their respective ethnicities or commonly used by the local ethnicities to implement bilingual education.

3.The State applies a school education system embracing pre- school education, primary education, secondary education and higher education.

4.The president or the leading administrator of a school or any other educational institution shall be a citizen of the nationality of China, who has settled down within the territory of China and meets the qualifications for the post prescribed by the State, and he or she shall be appointed or dismissed in accordance with the relevant regulations of the State.

5.Individuals outside the territory of China, who meet the requirements of the State and complete the relevant formalities, may enter China to study, do research, engage in academic exchange or teach in schools or other institutions of education. Their lawful rights and interests shall be protected by the State.