Education Quote by C.S. Lewis
““The basic principle of the new education is to be that dunces and idlers must not be made to feel inferior to intelligent and industrious pupils. That would be ‘undemocratic’. These differences between the pupils—for they are obviously and nakedly individual differences—must be disguised. This can be done on various levels. At universities, examinations must be framed so that nearly all the students get good marks. Entrance examinations must be framed so that all, or nearly all, citizens can go to universities, whether they have any power (or wish) to profit by higher education or not. At schools, the children who are too stupid or lazy to learn languages and mathematics and elementary science can be set to doing the things that children used to do in their spare time.””
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Abolition of the University, 1943
Education should mask innate ability differences so that all students appear equally capable, avoiding stigma for those less gifted.
In simple terms: Hide ability gaps in schooling.
Key Takeaway
Design assessments that level the playing field.
Themes
equality
education
meritocracy
inclusion
Mood
critical
reflective
Type
analytical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- university admissions
- standardized testing
- classroom grouping
- curriculum design
Key Concepts
social engineering
educational policy
psychology of achievement
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we balance fairness with encouraging excellence?
- What are the long‑term effects of hiding ability differences?
A Different Perspective
May lower standards and demotivate high achievers.
![“[the difference between the old and the new education being] in a word, the old was a kind of propagation-men transmitting manhood to men; the new is merely propaganda.” quote by Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/2fb/anonymous-1_differences_the-difference-between-the-old-and-the-n_2498973.jpg)
