Ancient greek Quote by Norman F. Cantor
““It was not until 1948 that Cambridge University stopped requiring a knowledge of classical (ancient) Greek as a prerequisite for admission. This requirement was based not only on the intrinsic merits of ancient Greek literature and philosophy. Knowledge of Greek was a screening device to keep out the less affluent, who attended British state schools, where Greek was less likely to be taught than in private schools.””
About This Quote
Source Historical analysis: Higher Education in Britain, Norman F. Cantor, 1990
The passage claims that requiring classical Greek for Cambridge admission acted as a class filter, favoring wealthy students from private schools over less affluent state-school students.
In simple terms: Greek requirement acted as a class filter in Cambridge admissions.
Key Takeaway
Be aware of hidden barriers in education.
Themes
education
class
access
elitism
history
Mood
analytical
inquisitive
Type
educational
historical
When to use this quote
- university admissions
- policy reform
- social mobility studies
- historical research
Key Concepts
social stratification
gatekeeping
curriculum design
Questions to Reflect On
- What other criteria contributed to class disparities?
- How can modern admissions be more equitable?
A Different Perspective
It may oversimplify other factors influencing admissions.
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