Gutek Chapter 16

      Analysis of China's educational system is not possible without considering the historical and cultural context of the country. Confucianism is the dominant traditional ideology of the Chinese and tends to have a conservative influence on education and transmission of ideas. However, this thought-based approach was replaced by a much more action-based policy when Mao Zedong took control of the PRC during the 1950's and 60's. During his "Great Leap Forward" and the Cultural Revolution, Mao eliminated entrance exams for schools, relegated formerly respected teachers to menial labor, abolished non-maoist literature, and eliminated all intellectualism and outside influence at the threat of persecution and even death. As a result of this and the lingering PRC influence today, many people were deprived of the education they deserved and the system is still feeling the consequences. Also, similar to India, China's sheer size and distribution of resources combined with a top-down rather than grassroots approach leaves many people deprived. 

Personally, having taken a course on Chinese History, I was exposed to the horrors of the Cultural Revolution and how many honorable academics were forced to undergo physical and mental suffering. Thankfully, those times are over now and China is heading towards economic capitalism. The potential for growth and improvement economically and educationally is immense, and we will see if China is able to overcome its' traditional struggle with modernization and realize their national potential.