中欧社会论坛 - China Europa ForumEducation Policy should further Enhance Compensation Capacity for Vulnerable Groups
Abstract
Authors: Liu Xin
Date: 2008
Published by Journal of Central China Normal University
Equity in education and education of vulnerable groups attracted a great deal of attention recently. Influence of education policies cannot be ignored when we talk about education of vulnerable groups. On the one hand, irrational policies contribute to the formation of vulnerable groups to some extent, and on the other hand, vulnerable groups can change their situation through policy adjustments. This article focuses on a number of aspects regarding compensation in education for vulnerable groups including the range, methods, and means.
I. The Necessity of Compensation for Vulnerable Groups through the Education Policy
1. Compensation for vulnerable groups is the basic means of achieving equity in education. This is to reflect and achieve equity in education. The so-called compensation means to change inequity in the existing education policies, realising the actual equity in education. It is not enough to emphasise equity in education because we also have to compensate vulnerable groups. The root cause of the formation of vulnerable groups is the existing inequities and the current social and educational inequities also contribute to the emergence of new vulnerable groups. Inequity in education resulted from inequities in social status, power, economic conditions, and social relations. Inequity in education often contributes to a new cycle of illiteracy, because it is very likely that parents from vulnerable groups ignore their children’s education. It means that the influence of this kind of inequity will last over generations, resulting in a vicious circle.
2. Compensation for vulnerable groups is an important symbol of social civilisation and progress. In today’s society, the problems of inequities are very serious. Many people cannot enjoy the fruits of reform and opening up and fall into marginalised vulnerable groups. Socialism does not mean poverty, nor does it mean slow development. Neither extreme egalitarianism nor wealth polarisation belongs to features of socialism, because the essence of socialism is to emancipate and develop productive forces, eliminate exploitation and polarisation and eventually realise common prosperity. To help and compensate victims of social inequity is not only a necessary part of relief system but also an illustration of ethical values.
3. Compensation for vulnerable groups is a requirement for social stability and harmonious development. A harmonious society cannot be established without education. What we need is balanced education policies. Vulnerable groups should no longer suffer from biased education policies and they should be compensated in order to maintain the healthy functioning of education.
II. Scope and Target of Compensation
Those who should be compensated mainly include: (1) vulnerable groups caused by a situation of seriously lagging behind which resulted from economic, cultural, and geographical factors; (2) vulnerable groups caused by marginalisation which resulted from social transformation, changes in systems, and policy arrangements; and (3) vulnerable groups who cannot change their situation only based on their own efforts and whose situation will last over generations. These vulnerable groups mainly live in the western part of China, rural poor areas, and ethnic minority areas.
In detail, those who should be compensated mainly include disabled children, children of poor families, children of urban laid-off workers, children of off-farm workers and so on. Among them, education problems related to children of off-farm workers in cities, also the so-called “street children” have aroused great attention. According to a survey conducted by All-China Women’s Federation in 2003, nearly 10 % of street children whose ages fall under the category of compulsory education have dropped out of school and half of them cannot start their education in time. This serious problem needs to be solved as soon as possible.
III. Means of Compensation
1. Open compensation
The goal is to make vulnerable groups capable of relying on their own efforts and improve their skills to achieve rapid development.
2. Guarantee compensation
The government supports disadvantaged areas through education policies.
3. Relief compensation
To mainly rely on help from social groups to establish a poverty relief system for poor families
4. Compensation based on voluntary work
One-to-one or one-to-many help from volunteers, which are mainly public welfare projects