Two Decades of Basic Education in Rural China

36 2 Compulsory Education in a Rich District Tongzhou in Beijing

The gender balance in the teaching cadre is skewed in favour of females. At pri-
mary level in both districts females constitute between 55 and 60 % of all primary
school faculty members including administrators. They represent a higher propor-
tion of teaching faculty in Majuqiaio rising to over 70 %. Women are under repre-
sented in administrative non-teaching positions where most places are occupied by
men. Thus, in Majuqiao in most years 80 % of administrative staff were men.
Teachers’ salaries have improved considerable over the last twenty years. The
average monthly income of primary and secondary school teachers was 180 yuan

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

under 25 26-30 31-35 36-40 41-45 46-50 51-55above 56

Grade

Enrolmen

t

2003-04

2004-05

2005-06

2006-07

2007-08

Fig. 2.6 Age distribution of primary teachers Xiji

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

Below 25 26-30 31-3536-40 41-45 46-50 51-55 Above 56

Grade

Enrolmen

t

School Year

2001-02

2002-03

2003-04

2004-05

2005-06

2006-07

2007-08

Fig. 2.7 Age distribution of primary teachers in Dadushe