The Research On The Northwest Frontier Vocational Education During The Nanjing National Government Period (1927-1949)

During the period of Nanjing National Government(1927-1949), China realized a formal unification which provided a relatively stable political environment for social development. Considering the important role of frontier in political domination and economic development, especially the strategic position in Anti-Japanese War, the National Government began to focus on the frontier development and actively made policies on its construction, with the strategic objectives of Anti-Japanese and state foundation.The frontier development plan should be education-centered. However, the poor education and the lack of talents are the key factors that hinder frontier development.Meanwhile, the backward situations of economy, politics, culture and education in northwest frontier give a great contrast to its important strategic position. Especially,the frontier vocational education that rich in national characteristics lags behind for a long time.Considering the nature of vocational education, it cultivated skilled and technical talents who serviced the production and life, with the promotion of economic development in frontier areas. From the view of vocational education function, it supported the war most effectively, with the significant development in short term. Therefore, the Nanjing National Government, recognizing the critical functions of northwest frontier vocational education on the two problems, formulated and implemented a lot of vocational education policies. By clearing and interpreting the backgrounds, contents and development situations of northwest frontier vocational education policies in Nanjing National Government period, author made a further understanding on its time significance and discussed the experience and implements on the development of northwest frontier vocational education today.First of all, the central government mainly developed and conducted various policies and measures for the development of frontier vocational education, which included the establishment of the administrative-educational management, the building of vocational schools, the raising of expenditure, the training of teachers, thesecurity of students, the compiling of textbooks, the providing of internship places,the guidance of vocational education, the formulating of vocational education programs, the cooperation among other fields, etc. The reference contents were relatively comprehensive.Northwest provincial governments actively carried out the policies in accordance with the central and developed the vocational education based on the local situations. However, because of the struggles between the central and the local warlords, the development of vocational education made slow progress. Then,the cultural, educational, ethnic, religious groups and other social forces in northwest areas, from the perspective of frontier development and state construction, actively promoted and participated in the vocational education in various ways.With the support of policy guidelines and social forces, northwest frontier vocational education formed three level systems of national, provincial-municipal and county vocational school. Besides, taking the women's vocational education seriously improved status and civilized the social atmosphere. Meanwhile, National Government sent students either to the mainland for further education or to abroad for specialized training, which promoted the developing process of vocational education.The Nanjing National Government regarded the frontier vocational education as an important way for the frontier development and construction. From Mongolian-Tibetan education to frontier education, it reflected the continuously deepening of the concepts about frontier exploitation and construction and also practiced the strategic thought on Anti-Japanese War. For individuals, vocational education improved youth's living skills for frontier construction. For education and culture, it gradually completed their systems. For nations and societies, it promoted economic development, accelerated social transformation and facilitated the frontier modernization. Therefore, Northwest frontier vocational education should take history as mirror, strengthen national unity and put the people's livelihood first. Meanwhile,social forces should also be mobilized to participate in the frontier development,building a model that puts central and local social forces to join the frontier construction together. Besides, we should also recognize the limitations and lessons in the process of development.