Challenges and Limitations Arisen from China's Mass Higher Education Shift and Its Expansion Policies: Perspectives of Students, Institutions and Society

Abstract

The Chinese government has taken numerous policy measures to develop its higher education system since Reform and Opening Up. Their commitment to expanding access to higher education has led to a remarkable increase in the number of universities and enrollment rates. However, this expansion has prompted many challenges and limitations. This research paper presents the multifaceted challenges and limitations faced by Chinese higher education expansion from the perspectives of students, institutions, and society. From the perspective of students, the first challenge brought by the more extensive access to higher education is the increased competition in K-12 education. In order for their children to be more competitive, students' parents invest a considerable amount of money in extracurricular tutoring which has brought a considerable financial burden to the student's family. From the institutional perspective, the rapidly increasing number of students brought the institution various challenges including limited resources, space, and faculty members. Lastly, from the perspective of society, there are many challenges and limitations regarding increasing access to higher education including the failure to improve social mobility, excessive labor in the job market, etc. Through a comprehensive examination of the challenges and limitations of Chinese higher education, this paper clarifies the complexity of the Chinese higher education system and offers insights into potential strategies for improvement.