Basic education is a dynamic concept. At present, the de facto basic education in China refers to all forms of education before junior high school (including junior high school). In a narrow sense, it refers to nine-year compulsory education. In a broad sense, it should also include family education (abbreviated as tutor) and necessary social life knowledge education. Some people classify high school education as basic education, but this type of education has not been popularized in China at present, so in fact, high school education is not basic education. With the development of China, it is estimated that by 2020, high school education will be basically popularized. 1977, UNESCO held a seminar for senior education planning officials in Nairobi, Kenya, and conducted extensive and in-depth discussions on basic education, holding that "basic education is the minimum basic education provided and shared by all.

The purpose of "education" of knowledge, viewpoints, social norms and experience is to enable everyone to give full play to their potential, creativity and critical spirit, so as to realize their ambitions and obtain happiness, become beneficial citizens and producers, and make contributions to the social development to which they belong. " Basic education is an important part of the whole education system. Just like high-rise buildings rising from the ground, without good basic education, there can be no excellent higher education.