Universal education in China means that the state provides some general education for school-age children, and compulsory education means that the state provides some general education for children of a certain age free of charge through laws. Although both refer to basic education, the latter is compulsory.

Definition of compulsory education

Compulsory education, also known as free education, is a national education that school-age children and adolescents must accept according to the Constitution and is guaranteed by the state, society and family. Its essence is a system of compulsory education for school-age children and adolescents for a certain period of time in accordance with the provisions of the law. Compulsory education is also called compulsory education and free compulsory education. Compulsory education is compulsory, free and universal.

Definition of universal education

The state provides some general education to all school-age children. Countries generally take the implementation of primary education as the first step, and further improve their requirements with the development of politics and economy. Universal education is different from compulsory education enforced by law, but in order to effectively implement universal education, many countries usually stipulate the nature of their obligations in legal form, which is called universal compulsory education.