Recently, Prof. Wang Li, Dr. Ji Bingsi, Ms. Wu Yunfei and Mr. Liang Zhen from the International Research and Training Centre for Rural Education (INRULED) conducted a field visit to Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces in China for the "Rural Community Learning Centres (CLC) Capacity Building Project in China." The purpose of the visit was to understand the implementation of CLC projects in rural areas, summarize the development models and operational mechanisms of the project, and plan for the next phase of the project.

The research team from INRULED held focus group discussions with the staff members of 

the CLC project site in Mudu Town, Suzhou City, Jiangsu Province

The research mainly focused on visiting the project sites and engaging in discussions with local CLC administrators, government officials, and teachers to gain in-depth understanding of the development of CLC projects in the area. A total of six rural CLC project sites were visited, including Mudu Town in Wuzhong District, Suzhou City, Fenhu High-tech Zone, Zhoushi Town in Kunshan City, Jingang Town in Zhangjiagang City of Jiangsu Province, as well as Zhouxiang Town in Cixi City and Cicheng Town in Ningbo City of Zhejiang Province. The findings from the research will be included in the report titled "A Review of the China Rural Community Learning Centre Project (1998-2020): Trends and best practices", which is scheduled to be published in late 2023.

Piano lessons at the CLC project site in Cicheng Town, Ningbo City, Zhejiang Province

Artworks made from wheat straw by local residents at the CLC project site in Zhouxiang Town, Cixi City, Zhejiang Province

Visiting the baking classroom at the CLC in Zhangjiagang City, Jiangsu Province

Project Brief:

Rural Community Learning Centers are educational institutions jointly established and managed by local governments, non-governmental organizations, and/or local residents. They provide various forms and contents of lifelong learning opportunities for local residents.

The China Rural Community Learning Centres (CLC) Capacity Building Project is jointly implemented by INRULED and the China Adult Education Association.A wide range of educational activities, such as adult cultural education, vocational training in production and life skills, community environmental education and governance, rural culture preservation, and entrepreneurship training, have been carried out. CLCs  have played a positive role in helping rural areas eliminate poverty, promoting economic and social development, and enhancing people's scientific and cultural literacy and quality of life.