China’s Gaokao Revisions: A Political Play Disguised as Reform

 

The changes to the gaokao exam reflect President Xi Jinping's broader effort to centralize power and diminish cultural diversity under a singular Chinese identity.

The “gaokao”, China's national college entrance examination, has long been a topic of intense scrutiny and debate. The recent changes to the “gaokao system”, particularly the phasing out of bonus points for certain minority groups, have been framed by the Chinese government as efforts to promote fairness and prevent cheating. However, a closer examination reveals that these changes are deeply rooted in political motives rather than a genuine quest for educational equity.

The gaokao, first implemented in 1952, is considered one of the most grueling academic tests in the world. It is designed to level the playing field by allowing any student, regardless of background, to secure a place in higher education through sheer academic prowess. However, this ideal has been marred by policies that grant extra points to certain groups, ostensibly to address historical inequities.

For decades, the Chinese government awarded bonus points to minority students, military veterans, and Chinese citizens returning from overseas. These policies aimed to integrate minorities into the dominant Han culture and reward those who had served the nation or studied abroad. Yet, these measures have sparked controversy and accusations of unfairness, particularly from Han students who feel disadvantaged by these bonus points.

Under President Xi Jinping, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has aggressively promoted a singular Chinese identity, often at the expense of minority rights and cultural diversity. This push for a unified national identity has been accompanied by a crackdown on affirmative action policies that favor minority groups. The removal of extra points for minority students is a direct reflection of this political agenda.

In 2014, the central government called for a re-evaluation of the bonus point system, citing concerns about fairness and integrity in the admissions process. Since then, several provinces, including Anhui, Jiangsu, Shandong, and Shanxi, have eliminated bonus points for minority students. More recently, Henan followed suit, and even provinces with significant minority populations, such as Hunan, Fujian, and Inner Mongolia, have reduced or are planning to abolish these bonuses.

Despite the government's claims, the removal of bonus points does not address the underlying educational disparities between Han students and their minority counterparts. Minority students, particularly those from rural or economically disadvantaged regions, continue to face significant challenges in accessing quality education. Schools in these areas often lack resources, experienced teachers, and advanced curricula, putting minority students at a disadvantage long before they even sit for the gaokao.

If the government's primary concern were truly fairness, it would also reconsider other preferential policies, such as those benefiting Taiwanese students. These students receive extra points as part of a broader strategy to attract them to mainland universities, reflecting the CCP's political objective of fostering closer ties with Taiwan. The selective elimination of bonus points for minority groups, while retaining them for others, underscores the political nature of these changes.

The gaokao is often touted as a meritocratic exam, yet it is far from uniform. Local governments have the authority to design their own versions of the gaokao, leading to significant variations in difficulty and scoring standards across provinces. Students in affluent cities like Beijing and Shanghai benefit from easier exams and greater access to top universities, perpetuating regional inequalities.

Moreover, the gaokao system itself is susceptible to corruption and manipulation. In 2015, a scandal in Henan province exposed how students paid for fake minority status to gain extra points on the gaokao. This incident highlighted the broader issues of fairness and integrity that plague the exam system.

The CCP's drive to centralize control and promote a homogenous national identity is evident in its educational policies. By eliminating bonus points for minority students, the government aims to foster a sense of unity and reduce perceived privileges that could fuel ethnic tensions. However, this approach ignores the historical and socio-economic factors that necessitated these affirmative action policies in the first place.

Furthermore, the changes to the gaokao system serve the CCP's broader political objectives. By framing the reforms as measures to ensure "exam equality," the government seeks to bolster its legitimacy and quell dissent among the Han majority. This strategy aligns with President Xi's vision of a strong, centralized state where individual and group identities are subsumed under a singular national identity.

While the Chinese government's efforts to reform the gaokao system are presented as steps toward fairness, they are deeply entwined with political motives. The elimination of bonus points for minority students reflects the CCP's broader agenda of promoting national unity and consolidating control. True educational equity requires addressing the systemic disparities that disadvantage minority students, not merely removing superficial measures of affirmative action. As China continues to navigate its complex social and political landscape, the gaokao will remain a contentious symbol of the intersection between education and politics.