The Vocational Education Law of the People’s Republic of China, adopted
at the 19th Meeting of the Standing Committee of the Eighth National
People’s Congress of the People’s Republic of China on May 15, 1996, is
hereby promulgated and shall enter into force as of September 1, 1996.
Jiang Zemin
President of the People’s Republic of China
May 15, 1996
VOCATIONAL EDUCATION LAW OF THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA
(Adopted at the 19th Meeting of the Standing Committee of the Eighth
National People’s Congress on May 15, 1996, promulgated by Order No. 69
of the President of the People’s Republic of China on May 15, 1996, and
effective as of September 1, 1996)
CONTENTS
CHAPTER I GENERAL PROVISIONS
CHAPTER II SYSTEM OF VOCATIONAL EDUCATION
CHAPTER III PROVISION OF VOCATIONAL EDUCATION
CHAPTER IV CONDITIONS ENSURING THE PROVISION OF VOCATIONAL EDUCATION
CHAPTER V SUPPLEMENTARY PROVISIONS
CHAPTER I GENERAL PROVISIONS
Article 1 This Law is enacted in accordance with the Education Law and
the Labour Law, for the purpose of implementing the strategy for
revitalizing the country by means of science and education, developing
vocational education, enhancing the quality of workers and promoting the
socialist modernization drive.
Article 2 This Law applies to vocational schools of all types and levels
and to all forms of vocational training. Specialized training provided
by State organs for their functionaries shall be governed by separate
laws and administrative rules and regulations.
Article 3 Vocational education constitutes an important component of the
nation’s educational undertakings as well as an important avenue for
promoting economic and social development and employment.
The State undertakes the development of vocational education, promotes
its reform so as to improve its quality and institute and perfect system
of vocational education that suits the needs of the socialist market
economy and the needs of social progress.
Article 4 In the provision of vocational education, the State’s
educational principles shall be implemented, that is, ideological and
political education and the education in professional ethics shall be
conducted, vocational knowledge imparted, vocational skills fostered and
vocational guidance provided to the educatees so as to enhance their
quality in an all-round way.
Article 5 Citizens shall have the right to receive vocational education
according to law.
Article 6 People’s governments at various levels shall incorporate the
development of vocational education into their plans for national
economic and social development.
Trade organizations, enterprises and institutions shall, in accordance
with law, fulfill their obligations to provide vocational education.
Article 7 The State adopts measures to develop vocational education in
rural areas and provides support and assistance to areas inhabited by
minority nationalities and outlying and poverty-stricken areas in
developing vocational education.
The State adopts measures to enable women to receive vocational
education, organize the unemployed to receive different forms of
vocational education, and support the development of vocational
education for the disabled.
Article 8 Vocational education shall be provided in light of actual
needs and in conformity with the standards established by the State for
classifying and grading occupations. A system comprising certificates of
schooling, certificates of vocational training and certificates of
occupational qualifications shall be practised.
The State practises a system whereby workers receive the necessary
vocational education prior to employment or assignment.
Article 9 The State encourages and arranges scientific research on
vocational education.
Article 10 The State gives awards to units and individuals that have
made outstanding achievements in vocational education.
Article 11 The administrative department for education under the State
Council shall be responsible for the overall planning, comprehensive
coordination and macro-management of vocational education.
The administrative departments for education, labor and other relevant
departments under the State Council shall, within their respective
functions and responsibilities defined by the State Council, be
responsible for the different aspects of vocational education.
Local people’s governments at or above the county level shall strengthen
leadership, overall coordination, supervision, guidance and assessment
of vocational education in areas under their jurisdiction.
