Twelve-year compulsory education refers to the implementation of twelve-year compulsory education based on ordinary high schools, technical secondary schools, vocational high schools, technical schools and other schools with high school education, excluding private schools. Twelve-year compulsory education does not mean unconditional entry into ordinary high schools without grade restrictions. All schools still have to take the senior high school entrance examination or enroll in some secondary vocational education institutions. China Special Economic Zone, ethnic minority areas, Zhejiang, Guangdong and Hebei have all tried free education in secondary education. However, it is mainly concentrated in ethnic areas, coastal areas and other developed areas, and has not been widely popularized.

From 2065438 to March 2007, during the National People's Congress, delegates discussed 12 year compulsory education. Some CPPCC members suggested popularizing 12-year compulsory education throughout the country. There are different opinions from all walks of life. Some scholars believe that the time is not yet ripe, while others believe that China's basic conditions are already in place. Therefore, the proposal of popularizing 12-year compulsory education in the whole country is still being further demonstrated.