The Impact of Meritocracy on Higher Education: A Perspective from College Admissions Policies in Mainland China

Abstract

This study examines the impact of meritocracy on higher education in mainland China, focusing on university admission policies. Since the reform and opening-up period, Chinas economic and educational advancements have increasingly emphasized elitism, particularly in allocating university admission slots through mechanisms like the Gaokao. The analysis, conducted from historical and contemporary perspectives, reveals that while elitism has optimized the distribution of educational resources, it has also deepened social inequalities. Despite their intent to promote fairness, policies such as the provincial quota system and independent admissions have widened regional and urban-rural disparities in educational resources. Furthermore, government initiatives like targeted poverty alleviation and regional preferential policies have had limited success in addressing these disparities. The study concludes that while elitism has centralized high-quality educational resources, it has hindered upward social mobility, especially for students from rural and disadvantaged backgrounds, highlighting the need for comprehensive reforms to achieve educational equity and social justice.