On the Aim of Social Education in the Late Qing Dynasty and Republic of China

Social education in the late Qing Dynasty and Republic of China put emphasis on theoretical originality, temporal duration, diverse content and widespread subjects. Almost as important as school education at that time, social education was a revolution in the history of China's education. The two aims of social education are "to be new citizens" and "to awaken the people". Educational campaign aiming at being new citizens is closely related with "New Citizen Theory" and "New Youth Concept". Educational campaign aiming at awakening the people was derived from "President's Last Wish". Their common purpose was to complement the disadvantages of family education and school education. The similarity of the two aims is that both of them are meant for educational reform, public education and the ultimate duty of saving the nation.