Analysis on Inter-provincial Disparities of China's Urban Education and Convergence

摘要

Regional coordinated development of education is the reflection on educational justice and equality. Uncoordinated educational development among provinces in China has become one of significant issues of regional development. Therefore, after estimating the urban average years of schooling and education Gini coefficients of 31 provinces beside Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan from 2001 to 2008, this article in addition applies the method of "Economic Convergence" to analyze inter-provincial disparities of urban education and the convergence. Research results show that: after the investment system reform of compulsory education, from 2001 to 2008, the provinces' education development and education equity have been improved. Inter-provincial disparity of the education development shows β convergence. Regional economic differences also have a greater influence on education development disparities, while educational inequality differences are mainly due to the existing educational fairness.