Analysis of the Current Situation of Music Education in Rural Middle Schools in China from the Perspective of Educational Equity: An Example from Chishang Middle School in Laiyang

HRMARS - China has prioritised art education for middle school students in promoting quality-oriented education and implementing pedagogical reforms. Promoted by the Chinese Government, music education in urban schools has developed rapidly in certain districts. In contrast, educational resources are uneven, resulting in slow—or even stagnant—development of music education in rural schools. This has led to a widening gap between urban and rural areas regarding the level of music teaching and its effectiveness. Based on this issue, the study is conducted from the perspective of educational equity, taking the researcher's participation and observation during the teaching practice in Chishan Middle School in Laiyang City, Shandong Province, China, as an example. Combined with the relevant data obtained from the questionnaire survey, the study analyses the current situation and problems of music education for disadvantaged groups in rural China, identifies the gaps in music education between urban and rural areas in China, and proposes corresponding solutions on how to achieve equality in education between urban and rural areas.