The republic of examinations
The article explores the historical and social significance of public examinations, questioning whether recent Indian examination scandals reflect deeper systemic issues. It argues that exams serve as a critical link between citizens and the state, shaping social mobility and public trust.
Why it matters
It contextualizes current educational crises within a broader global history of political instability caused by perceived unfairness in meritocratic systems.
Few institutions shape how citizens experience the modern state more profoundly than its public examinations. The abolition of China’s imperial examinations in 1905 closed what many regarded as the principal route to social mobility under the Qing dynasty and helped erode its legitimacy, contributing to the 1911 Revolution. Changes to university admissions in Sri Lanka convinced many Tamils that equal citizenship was slipping away. In South Africa, the 1976 Soweto uprising began with school students protesting against the imposition of Afrikaans as the language of instruction and examinations, and the brutal repression that followed. These are only some of the better-known examples; from Bangladesh and Chile to Ethiopia and France, disputes over examinations and educational opportunity have repeatedly spilled into wider political conflict. Do India’s examination scandals belong to this larger history?
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in