THE EXAMINATION SYSTEM AS AN OBSTRUCTION TO REFORM

[Editorial a China and Foreign News, 23 d'Agost, 1898]

The dynasty’s examination system is extremely annoying and cumbersome. From the district examinations to the two Palace Examinations, there is not a single year without exams of some sort, and not one exam without a preliminary test, in order to prevent cheating and to stress recruiting men of talent. In the district and prefectural examinations there are at least four or five sessions, and as many as six or seven. And in addition, there are three or four sessions of examinations supervised by the Provincial Commissioner of Education. Students go through innumerable hardships before they can obtain the right to wear the robes designating them as officially authorized students. Hence, year after year they persist in their studies until their hair turns white.

One half of each year is taken up with examinations, and the other half is burdened with wife, children, home and family. Any spare time is spent trying to master the eight-legged essay style. And yet, it still is very difficult to attain satisfactory competence in the eight-legged style, even though it is considered so vital, and pursued month after month and year after year. What then, if in addition, one wants to read useful books and study useful subjects?

The Palace Examinations rely solely upon ability in fine script, poetry, and rhyme-prose, not at all what the candidates are used to studying. Even members of the Hanlin Academy do not dare to discard the eight-legged style, poetry, rhyme-prose, and fine script before attaining the Third Rank, because they want to pass the test for Supervisor of Imperial Instruction. This is all because the difference between passing and failing the examinations depends on abilities in these areas. Hence, though after entering officialdom and becoming officials in the provinces for five or ten years scholars may gain some experience and some knowledge and understanding, it is easy to be infected by the heavy-laden atmosphere of officialdom, and the desire for personal gain is apt to affect the mind. As for Han-lin and other metropolitan officials, they are busily occupied with writing poetry, rhyme-prose, and fine script. And what is even more ridiculous, they spend their days going to the residences of fellow graduates of the same year, with a volume in hand, earnestly encouraging each other at their group study, just like in their hsiuts ‘at days. Alas, are they this vulgar? Nevertheless, since those above recruit and select this way, those below respond accordingly. This is a circumstance about which aspiring scholars can do nothing....

For the court to use poetry, rhyme-prose, and fine script as the criteria for passing or failing the examinations for men of ability is truly vulgar and ridiculous. Now, if peace reigned throughout the empire, and the court had no problems on its hands, then it would be proper for officials in the Han-fin Academy to serve His Majesty by lauding peace and plentitude through these means. But the multitude of problems on the coast has steadily weakened the nation. Poetry and rhyme-prose are not adequate to cope with this changing situation, and fine script is not adequate to withstand the enemy. How are we to devise a policy to bring peace and to emulate the wealth and power [of Western nations]? Every meaningless and extravagant custom should be reformed, one after another—the strings must be changed, and then tightened up. Only then will officials of the court and members of the Han-lin Academy, as well as scholars outside officialdom, be able to devote themselves to useful studies. Their ambitions will no longer be diverted by eight-legged essays, poetry, rhyme-prose, and fine script, nor will their minds be disturbed by all the various examinations. Who but a sagacious sovereign could thus respond to the times with the appropriate measures, and reform anachronistic laws? Nevertheless, scholars fortunate enough to have been born in an age when men of ability are sought gut and rewarded, and incentives are given for practical learning, but who still fail to exert themselves to be of use and to respond to the generous intentions of the court, should feel ashamed of themselves, should they not?
 

[MASON GENTZLER, J(1977) Changing China, Nova York, Praeger, pp. 88-89]