History of Chinese Ancient Education

Source: cultural-china.com

1. The "Private School Thriving" in the Spring and Autumn Period

In the Spring and Autumn Period, private schools prevailed and many scholars of different schools of thought spread their teaching in this way. Confucius, the great educator, devoted all his life to the private school system and taught many students. It was said that over three thousand disciples followed him, among whom there were 72 sages who went on to broaden the acceptance of the philosophy set out by their master Confucianism.

Besides that, other school such as Taoism was also taught widely which led afterwards to "a hundred schools of thought" in the Warring States Period. During the succeeding years, private schools continued to exist although there were times when state education became fashionable.

2. The "Recommendation through Observation policy" in the Han Dynasty

During the reign of Emperor Han Wudi, the government introduced an education system called 'taixue'. Usually the students were provided with a free diet and mainly studied from the classical Confucian books. After hard work of studying, scholar would sit for their examinations that rarely happen. Following examinations, those with good marks would directly be given official titles.

In the Han Dynasty there had been no special system for testing a person's ability, and the most prevalent method was merely through observation.Officials would see who was intelligent or who they favor and recommend that individual to their superior. This obviously restricted the source of talented people. On the contrary, this system could only lead to nepotism and corruption.

3. The "Nine Grades of Rank in the Regime System policy" in the Jin, Northern and Southern Dynasties

The Nine Grades of Rank in the Regime System employed officials by the following method: in each state and county there was official acting as 'Zhongzheng' with authority to decide how people were ranked in the local areas according to ability. By ranking appliers for official positions in this way, the government was able to make a choice of the best people for various posts. Although it had no relationship originally with family background, the 'Zhongzheng' was himself invariably a member of the upper classes and he would often show partiality to families of dignitaries and other upper class people.

4. Origin of Imperial Examination in Sui Dynasty

It was during the Sui Dynasty that the separate states were unified into a whole. To enforce the centralization of power, the emperor realized the need for a strong, well educated civil service, one that employed the best talents in the land. Although it was immature at the outset, it inter-wove learning, examination and administration closely. This system proved to be fairer and more far-reaching than former ones.

5. Radiation of Imperial Examination in the Tang Dynasty

The Tang Dynasty adopted the personnel selection system and gradually refined it. The main subjects of the examinations were writing and study of classical books, which were the most popular. The prime ministers, named 'jinshi', were good at writing.

The candidates almost always came from two sources. These were students of official schools and also intelligent people in their local county, who were entitled 'juren' when they achieved the necessary qualifications to take the central government examinations held each spring.

The form and content of the exams varied from one another. The junior testing knowledge is in details, concentrating on small knowledge points. Therefore, the need to be able to recite the work was important. While the tests for 'jinshi' were not so easy - they required a talent for literature.

Candidates who passed the highest imperial examination held by the Board of Rites would have a promising future. The most successful scholar was then granted the title of 'zhuang yuan', the second 'bang yan', and the third 'tan hua'. However, there would be a final hurdle to cross - a test of another department 'the Board of Civil Office'. Then the tester will give those excellent people position according to their abilities. To become successful, candidates sometimes also needed the recommendation and instruction of a notable person with authority.

During the reign of Empress Wu Zetian, she asked questions of candidates herself in the imperial hall. This was the beginning of the interview examination. She also created the form of Wushu examination in subjects such as the use of fire arms.

6. The innovations in ancient Chinese education system in Song dynasty

In the Song Dynasty, the examination for 'jin shi' was still fashionable. Most of the prime ministers of high rank also had to pass the exam in this subject though they are in preponderant. Meanwhile, regardless of form and content, the system underwent great innovation. At least three aspects had been reformed.

Firstly the accepted number was broadened. Secondly, the frequency of exams was limited to a fixed 'once every three years'. Thirdly, so far as content was concerned, the earlier examinations laid much stress on the ancient classical texts.

Finally, to prevent the practice of favoritism, examinees' names were closely covered on their papers which were then exchanged among different local examiners. This did indeed greatly reduce the incidence of cheating.

7. Full-Bloom in the Ming Dynasty

With the coming of the Ming Dynasty, the imperial examination system reached its period of full bloom. Great attention was given to the administrative procedures and the tests became more rigorous. The provincial and metropolitan examiners tested only 'eight-legged' essays and people easily realized that the quality of that sort of essay was the key to achieving a pass. They were required to write in a fixed style with a fixed word count - it had to be eight paragraphs, while imitating the tone of the classics.

8. Declination in the Qing Dynasty

Since the Qing Dynasty was dominated by the Manchu ethnic group, they gave their people priority over the Han people. It is difficult to become officials for the Han people. There is an interesting novel 'Fan Jin Zhong Ju' is quite a typical victim of the declining system. The hero Fan Jin took tried many times to a pass the provincial examination. Never want to give up, he was in his fifties when his efforts were finally rewarded. When he got the news that he had finally ranked on the list of successful candidates, he was in a delirium with great joy!