The Opportunities and Challenges of Declining Birthrates for Small-Class Science Teaching in Secondary Schools

Amidst China’s declining birthrates, junior high science education is shifting from scale expansion to quality enhancement, with small-class teaching being a key strategy. This multi-method study reveals that smaller classes promote interactive, inquiry-based learning, boosting student engagement, innovation, and critical thinking. Success depends on teachers transitioning from knowledge transmitters to learning facilitators, requiring training in differentiated instruction and educational technology. Policy support—optimized teacher allocation and reformed evaluation systems—is essential for effective implementation. The study offers strategic insights for adapting basic education to demographic change.