On October 19, a high-level forum titled “The Codification of Educational Laws and the Protection of Students’ Rights” was held in Nanjing. Experts and scholars from prestigious institutions like Peking University and Renmin University of China gathered to explore the ongoing process of educational modernization in China, focusing specifically on the crafting of educational laws and the safeguarding of learners’ rights.
At the forum, a member of the 14th National People’s Congress Standing Committee presented a legislative plan aimed at accelerating the codification of laws in mature fields, which includes educational laws. David Huang, Vice President of Southeast University, highlighted that the discourse around educational law has now entered a critical phase involving theoretical research and practical exploration as well as drafting legal provisions. He emphasized the need for a comprehensive understanding of the integration of educational technology, talent systems, and reform mechanisms to create an educational law framework that reflects China’s characteristics, current relevance, and a global perspective.
“The growth of research in educational law is encouraging,” said Huimin Qin, Dean of the International Education College at Beijing Foreign Studies University. “More educational institutions are establishing education law programs, and law schools are increasingly focusing on training professionals in this field. The initiation of the educational law codification is proving to be a significant opportunity to deepen theoretical research in educational law, presenting an unprecedented historical chance for its development.”
Addressing a recent controversy regarding illustrations in textbooks, Jingbo Wang, President of Heilongjiang University, urged the importance of legislative measures concerning textbooks. “As a vital component and vehicle of education, textbooks are a comprehensive embodiment of students’ rights. They possess national characteristics, educational public interest attributes, and a high degree of marketization. Without appropriate legal regulations, there is a risk of extreme outcomes.”
This event was organized by the Southeast University Human Rights Research Institute and the School of Law at Southeast University. Professor Qichuan Liu from the law school emphasized that the codification of educational laws is a complex and systematic legislative endeavor, where ensuring students’ rights is a significant consideration. He expressed confidence that as the educational legislative system continues to be established and improved, it will provide a stronger institutional guarantee for the coordinated development of education, technology, and human resources.
