Migrant Education in Shanghai: Policy Implementation and Impact on Educational Equity

• In Event: 72.048 - Roundtable Session 33
  In Roundtable Session: 72.048-13 - Exploring International Education

Abstract

This qualitative study explores how suburban public schools in Shanghai have implemented migrant policies of free compulsory education and equal access to public education. Our results show that free compulsory education policy is indeed implemented by the public schools under study. The interview data do not support the equal access to public education, however. Although the interviewees have worked and lived in Shanghai for an average of 10 years, they are not local residents and must submit additional documents to register their children in public schools. Due to additional barriers, only those that can afford a real property or receive exceptions can register their children in public schools. Poor migrant children are kept from public education.

Author

• DongMei Li