Passage:
China 's education system 
     The development of education is of primary importance in china. Under the policy of “developing the country through science and education,” each child is offered free education for a compulsory nine years and the education system is constantly being improved. “oriented towards modernization, the world, and the future” is the guiding principle for the development of the Chinese education system, both in the long and the short term. 
     China 's education system can be divided into the following stages: 
     Pre-school education is for 3-5 year olds and takes place in kindergartens. 
     Primary education is from 6-11. Primary schools are usually run by local educational authorities and over free tuition, although there are some private schools owned by enterprises and individuals. 
     Secondary schooling is for children from 12-17 years of age. Education of this kind is run by local governments and various business authorities. State-run secondary schools include junior middle schools and senior middle schools, both with three grades or years. The first three years of secondary school are compulsory and tuition is free. Senior middle school is not compulsory and students must pay minimal tuition fees. Private secondary schools often offer specialized education and have a more vocational bent, but the qualifications they offer are considered to be on the same level as those of state-run middle schools. However, graduates from secondary professional schools are seen to have achieved a higher level in some ways akin to a university education. Students graduating from junior middle schools usually go on to senior middle schools, although some move to vocational high schools or secondary professional schools for 3-5 years of study. 
     For higher education there are vocational courses as well as undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral degrees. Bachelor's degrees usually require 4-5 years of study, master's degrees need 2-3 years and Ph.D.s are granted after 3 years. Higher education is offered in universities, colleges, institutes, and vocational colleges. These institutes conduct academic and scientific research and provide social services as well as offering courses to students. To enter a university or college, students have to take the national entrance examination, which takes place every July and is now open to people of all ages. Selection is based on each student's marks in this exam, and due to the number of people sitting the exam, getting into university is highly competitive. Those who fail to get selected have to go to private colleges if they want to continue their education. Tuition at such colleges is more expensive than at the state-run universities. Those who have missed out on higher education can continue their studies as adults in the workplace.