How National Competency Exams Affect International Political Culture

Abstract

This paper assesses the functions performed by the examination regimes in national educational systems worldwide. These functions influence a nation’s political culture through socializing ideological values, holding schools accountable, and in many cases, reinforcing the existing class structure. The paper then suggests that true political reform is contingent upon meaningful educational reform, and that close scrutiny of a nation’s examinations system is essential to both.