Research on the Role of Adult Cultural and Technical Schools in Supporting Community Learning Center Development in County Areas

In the context of building a learning society, lifelong learning has become an indispensable necessity for everyone. To adapt to this trend, the Ministry of Education issued the Key Tasks for Building a Learning Society in August 2023, which emphasizes the promotion of community learning centers at the county level. It specifically states the need to strengthen community education at the township (or street) level, with "township adult schools" identified as a primary vehicle for achieving this goal. This paper aims to address three key questions through a combined analysis of data from township adult schools in Zhejiang Province: First, it will clarify the significance of vigorously developing township adult schools for the establishment of county-level community learning centers. Second, it will explore the real issues that hinder township adult schools from fully performing their roles as hubs and vehicles within the context of county community learning center development. Third, it will propose practical solutions to address the challenges facing township adult schools, aiming to realize the vision of effectively supporting the construction and development of county-level community learning centers.