Education: Cultural Revolution

Question 1

Why did education collapse during the cultural revolution?

Answer 1

• The failure to create educational equality.
• Mao’s belief that education was ‘exceedingly harmful’.
• Politics and class background returning as a ground for admission to schools.

Question 2

How were many teacher’s treated?

Answer 2

They were often denounced and attacked.
At Beijing University a wall poster urged students to ‘eliminate all demons and monsters and carry the socialist revolution through to the end’.
Teachers were intimidated by students in struggle meetings, forcing them to kneel for hours with their hands pulled out behind them in what became known as the ‘aeroplane position’.

Question 3

How did the Cultural Revolution change attitudes towards education?

Answer 3

Education was seen as insignificant.

Zhang Tiesheng garnered national attention when he submitted a blank examination paper for his college admission test.