Unpacking China's Pisa Success: Governance, curriculum, and challenges in pursuit of educational excellence

This review synthesizes literature from 2009 to 2024 to analyze key features of China's education system influencing PISA (Programme for International Student Assessment) outcomes, focusing on governance, curriculum, learner and teacher development, and support systems. China's high PISA rankings reflect strengths in centralized governance, rigorous curricula, and teacher professionalism, especially in affluent urban regions. However, these successes mask persistent rural-urban disparities and an exam-driven culture criticized for stifling creativity and increasing student stress. Ongoing reforms seek to address these issues, yet sustained efforts are essential to ensure educational excellence that is both broad-based and balanced across the country.