Problem And Analysis Of Countermeasures In Massfication Program Of Chinese Higher Education

While Martin Trow's (马丁.特罗,1926-) theory of mass higher education spreads widely in our country, the development of Chinese higher education is in full swing. The popularization of higher education conforms to the trend of the age and the demand of the development of politics, economy, culture as well as the higher education itself. But there has been some misunderstanding on Trow's theory during its spreading, thus causing several problems when guiding the popularization of higher education in China. Based on an investigation in a few higher learning institutes in Hubei province and some exchanges of ideas with the colleagues of the Shanghai Educational Committee and several Shanghai colleges and universities, this article has summed up the following problems coming up as China embarks on the road of the popularization of higher education. First, mechanical application of Trow's theory; second, blind pursuit of popularization disregarding the actual conditions; third, universal opening regardless of the level and type of the school; fourth, undue emphasis on the quantity of student enrollment; fifth, isolated initiatives by individual schools.With extensive reference to relevant literature, this article points out that Trow's theory on mass higher education is merely some reflection on the periodization of the development of higher education, not a framework of theories on the management of higher learning institutes and that higher learning institutes constitute only part of the higher education system. So Trow'stheory can't be used as direct guidance on the running of higher learning institutes. On the otherhand, the theory falls short of logical and scientific requirements and needs further improvement and verification. Besides when a theory is used as the guidance of the development of a country's higher education, the special features of the higher learning in that country and the state situation should also be taken into consideration to make qualified predications instead of making blind and mechanical copies. In actuality, Trow's theory serves in the development of Chinese universities. It has helped to promote the enrollment of students and raise potential requirements on the reform of the management system. It also helps to foresee the possible changes just before and after the popularization of higher education and request the university adapt to the demand of the new situation, aiming at setting new goals, preserving positive traditions and creating good external and internal environment.Based on the attempts at analyses of the impacts of Trow's theory on the management of universities in some countries and China, this article makes its own proposals in the development of higher education in China. It maintains that good application comes only after a comprehensive and in-depth research and understanding of the theory. It also contends thai effective measures should be taken to achieve less mutual dependence of universities and the government and greater autonomy of the universities as the reform of the higher learning system is inevitable. Finally it proposes that more publicity should be made to help establish sound mindset on the consumption and quality of higher education and that social reform should be deepened to create an environment conducive to the earlier realization of the goal of higher education popularization.