Discourse Game of Educational Policy: Framing Competition Among Stakeholders in Policy Communication

Authors

  • Qiong Li Associate Professor, Lanzhou University of Finance and Economics Institute of International Education, Lanzhou University of Finance and Economics, Lanzhou City, Gansu Province , China, 730030 Author https://orcid.org/0009-0003-9530-1382
  • Huangxin CHEN Postgraduate Student, School of Foreign Languages, Lanzhou University of Finance and Economics, Lanzhou City, Gansu Province , China, 730030 Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.52152/RCR.V14.2

Keywords:

Educational Policy, Discourse, Policy Communication, Stakeholders, Framing Discourse Theory

Abstract

This paper explores the central role of communication in informing the education policy with a particular interest in how different stakeholders of the education sector, that is, governments, educators, students, and the society in general use competitive framing to alter the population opinion and how they shape the processes of making of policies. The study examines how these actors are using the process of narrative construction in order to integrate educational issues with their interests which is done through a systematic literature review (SLR). The findings emphasize the fact that communication is not just a medium through which policy is passed, but it is dynamic in nature where policy is constructed through discourse. Specific focus is given to such values as equity and efficiency which tend to emerge in such framings, particularly, in those of social media-based public discourse. Social media sites enhance the power of the stakeholders to influence the mainstream discourses, hence, controlling the policy debates trend. The study sheds light on ways in which discourse framing can be used in policy communication to provide guidance to policy makers on how they can become aware of competing interests. In the end, this piece of work enhances our comprehension of the impact of strategic communication on the policy debate in education and it also emphasized the importance of inclusive and balanced discourse in the policy making process.

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Published

2026-01-13

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