Children of migrant workers Hukou system

children migrate parents face difficulties not experienced local counterparts

children of rural workers migrate parents face challenges. without local, non-agricultural hukou, migrant children have limited access public social infrastructure. example, urban students’ educational opportunities far superior of migrant student counterparts. central government reformed education system in 1986 , again in 1993, yielding greater autonomy local governments in regulation of education system. limited space , desire protect local interests in turn induced local governments avoid enrolling migrant children in public schools. furthermore, because central government subsidized public schools based on enrollment rates of children local hukous, migrant children required pay higher fees if wanted attend. consequentially, many migrant families elect instead send children private schools cater migrants. however, in order charge students lower enrollment , attendance fees, these institutions must cut spending in other areas, resulting in lower quality of education. school facilities in poor condition, , many teachers unqualified.

in subsequent years, central government has enacted number of reforms, limited impact. in 2001, asserted public schools should primary form of education nation’s children, didn’t specify how financially support schools in enrolling more migrant children, resulting in little change. similarly, in 2003, government called lower fees migrant children, again failed detail how schools pay this. , in 2006, government created new compulsory education act asserted equal rights education , ceded responsibility enrolling migrant children provincial governments. however, failed improve lot of migrant children. students non-local hukou had pay inflated admission fees of 3,000 – 5,000 yuan – out of average annual household income of 10,000 yuan – , required take college entrance exams @ hukou locality, harder college.

the difficulties faced migrant children cause many drop out, , particularly common in middle school years: in 2010, 30% of migrant children enrolled in secondary education. migrant children disproportionately deal mental health issues – 36% versus 22% among local hukou counterparts – , 70% experience academic anxiety. face stigmatization , discrimination based off differences in how dress , speak, , have difficulty interacting other students.