Mao Tse-Tung's view of education and society is based on the belief that the great masses of people are collectively rational. If the masses do not see what society as a whole objectively requires, however, the leaders must be patient and resort to education and explanation, or the requirements must be altered to meet the objections. By the mid 1960's a trend in China's education had developed to create a group of experts to lead China towards modernization. Maoists considered this trend as an attempt to reimpose an elitist society and sharpen, rather than diminish, class divisions. As a result, the cultural revolution brought sweeping reform to the Chinese educational system. These changes included more emphasis on rural and vocational education instead of narrow academic descriptives. Entrance requirements for higher education institutions were eliminated to increase the enrollment of students from less advantaged backgrounds. Tests and examinations were eliminated as a criterion for advancement in order to place more emphasis on learning and less on competition. In addition, all students and teachers were required to participate in manual labor to increase their socialist consciousness. (Author/DE)