China's education, as its economy and society, is in a period of transition. Since the foundation of the People's Republic, education has undergone significant changes and education policy has shifted gears from being mainly politically-oriented to modernizing the country. However, unevenly financed compulsory education creates disparities in per student spending, especially in disadvantaged, rural areas. In the first political discussion of intra-provincial Chinese education policy, Tingjin Lin explores the inequalities of education in China. Looking at both education policy and personnel policy, the author also shows that educators and provincial leaders are often torn between self-interest and implementing reforms and equal opportunities which may impede the progress of their own careers.

Dr Tingjin Lin is Jiangsu Distinguished Professor of Public Administration and Dean of Institute of Urban Development Studies, Nanjing University of Finance and Economics, China. He also serves as an adjunct research fellow at the Nanyang Centre for Public Administration, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. He was a Fulbright Scholar at the Fairbank Centre for Chinese Studies, Harvard University, USA. His research focuses on public management and administration in China, specializing in public finance and public services delivery in China, fiscal behaviours of Chinese local government, and local political elites in China. His articles have appeared in China: an International Journal, Asia Pacific Journal of Education, and Chinese Society and Education.