A Study On The Education Of The Children Of Floating Population

Floating population is a special group that inevitably appears during the period of the economic and social transformation in our country, and it is also a problem we have to face in the process of modernization. Especially since the 1990's, the scale of floating population in our country has continuously increased. Simultaneously, the structure of floating population in our country has changed greatly. One of the most remarkable changes is the formation of family of floating population, which results in the problem of the children's education. Therefore, concerning and resolving this problem is not only an objective demand of accelerating the process of modernization, but also the realistic need of promoting the balanced development of compulsory education and improving the quality and level of compulsory education.The children of floating population refer to those who are between 6 years old and 14 years old (or between 7 years old and 15 years old ). They are in the stage of compulsory education, and they live in cities with their parents for over half a year and have the ability to study. Because of the dual restriction of the family income and the cities' education policy, the problem of children's education involves two main aspects: Firstly, the educational problem of the children who unable to go to school, including those who don't start school and drop out from school. It mostly involves in the right and opportunities to accept compulsory education. Secondly, the educational problem of the children in school. It mainly refers to the situation they face after entering school, comprising both the adaptation to school and the educational quality in school.This thesis primarily applies qualitative research methods, which specifically consist of on-the-spot observation, questionnaires, in-depth interview, individual-case study, etc. Take Lanzhou City Proper as a typical case, floating population can be divided into three groups according to the family income: The group of absolute poverty; relative poverty and the group of adequate food and clothing. Correspondingly, the status quo of children's education is alsodivided into three kinds: Longing for school--Being in school--Hoping to accept goodeducation. Typical cases are selected to study the educational conditions of the children, and their mental sense in school. The thesis analyses the causes and puts forward the solutions to the problem.The study analyses causes of formation of the problem from three angles: The fragility of the objective and subjective environment of family education, unfairness of school education and the obstacle of systems especially the educational system. And then the countermeasures and suggestions are brought forward: Firstly, the parents should build up the scientific and rational educational concept. Secondly, the school has to construct the fair educational environment to eliminate the mental shade of the children of floating population. Thirdly, the fairness is the first value selection of the compulsory education policy. At last, the community should take some related measures.