vWhen Profs. Keith Lewin, Qu Hengchang, Lu Wang and I discussed the possi-
bility of revisiting the three counties where we did case studies on implementing
basic education in China 25 years ago, I was very excited. Since we finished the
research project Implementing Basic Education in China which was published by
the International Institute for Educational Planning we had not been able to follow
up and track changes during a period when Chinese basic education had been trans-
formed, but a part of the research teams’ hearts were left with the teachers and chil-
dren in the fieldwork areas. Access to basic education and the challenges of people’s
lives in poor areas have always been an emotional topic whenever the research team
members gather together at Beijing Normal University. Periodically I have collected
information when chances have arisen to talk with the officials and students from
the research sites. Some of the changes that have happened over 20 years are dif-
ficult to imagine. Tongxian County has been transformed into Tongzhou District.
When a county is upgraded to a district in China, it means the area has become
urbanised and the living conditions and livelihoods have been transformed. I have
had the chance to drive through Xiji which was one of the poorest Xiang (township)
in Tongxian when we did our study, and was predominantly rural and agricultural.
Now it includes a major industrial park on the outskirts of Beijing, and has the cor-
porate headquarters of several multinational enterprises. Many residents live in high
rise apartments and commute to work in Beijing. I have become aware that Ansai
(our second case study county) has become quite rich as petroleum had been discov-
ered there. Zhaojue (our third case study county) is a long way from Beijing. How
I wish I could return and see the changes in these areas; 20 years is a long time.
Professor Qu and I are too old now to take on the rigours of fieldwork even though
conditions have improved greatly in transport and accommodation. Wu Zhongkui
and Qian Jiaqi (two of our team members) have assumed important positions in the
Zhuhai Branch Campus of Beijing Normal University, and Li Jiayong (another team
member) is our Deputy Dean. Fortunately it has been possible for Profs. Lewin and
Wang Lu to organise a new team and revisit the same locations and schools to com-
pare the situation now with that 20 years ago. This is a unique opportunity which
has not been undertaken before and I greatly appreciate their work.
Foreword