The “Illusion of <i>Suzhi Jiaoyu</i> ”: A Grounded Analysis of <i>Zhihu</i> Discourse Surrounding Reactions to China’s National Curriculum

Abstract This study deploys netnography to investigate online reaction to suzhi jiaoyu , China’s national curriculum. Few papers have attempted to gauge popular opinion on the curriculum, despite state rhetoric that, once universally implemented, it will revolutionize China’s development. I analyse 1,644 posts of netizens’ judgements of ongoing suzhi jiaoyu reforms, uploaded to China’s most popular “question-and-answer” site, Zhihu . Deploying grounded theory to gauge the levels and nature of consensus/dissent across opinions, my study details the unpopularity of suzhi jiaoyu among users of Zhihu . Most appropriate suzhi jiaoyu discourse to criticize China’s unequal distribution of resources and, implicitly, the failure of state initiatives to address these inequalities. Users perceive the previous national curriculum to be fairer, noting the absence of sufficient state intervention in this area. I conclude by examining the broader implications of Zhihu users’ engagement with social problems in China.