The Illusion of Opportunity

Conversations about education-equity (opportunity, and fairness) were always common at home, school, and few MUN sessions. Over time, this gave me some early exposure to debates around merit, access, and social policy in education. Listening to different perspectives, and occasionally seeing the outcomes students faced, sparked my own curiosity about how systems meant to create opportunity actually function in practice. When I came across the following prompt for HCGEC, it immediately reminded me of those discussions. The prompt read, "Should elite universities prioritise merit or racial equity in admissions decisions? Argue which leads to a fairer society." Here’s my take on it.

Throughout this essay, I want you to remember four letters: BSFW. It comes from a humorous line by the Indian comedian Vadivelu: “Building strong. Foundation weak.” People laugh at the scene, but the idea behind it is deeply serious.

Policies for racial equity in education were created from a place of justice. Many communities across the world were historically denied opportunity, dignity, and access to learning. Yet opening a door is not the same as preparing someone to walk through it. Let alone confidently.

For example, in India (where I live), the concept of racial equity is upheld under the name of reservations. Usually, you can see this in the fields of education or in government jobs. One such group of universities where admissions are not based on merit alone is Indian Institutes of Technology - set of India’s most elite universities. However, reports have shown troubling patterns of student distress. Many who struggled were not lacking intelligence. Instead, they often came from schooling systems that had not provided the same academic foundation as their peers. They were suddenly placed in one of the most competitive environments in the country without equal preparation or were unable to reach the college’s meritocracy requirements. A clear - BSFW.

Recently, the Government of India decided to drastically reduce the NEET-PG (entrance test for admissions to post graduate medical program in India) Cut-Offs at Government Medical Seats for those belonging to certain caste categories. At the out-set the scheme looks like a move designed to help racial equity. But the results are far more concerning. Students with -40/800 were to be admitted. My question is pretty simple…When these students were given the chance to attend undergraduate to receive fair basic education, shouldn’t the next step be decided by those results? Visible BSFW!

Interestingly, B. R. Ambedkar, a lifelong supporter of social justice and one of the main drafters of the Indian Constitution, never thought of reservations as permanent. According to him, they were to be short-term support structures designed to enable marginalized communities to eventually stand on their own. Instead of limitless preference, he envisioned ultimate equality based on ability which would be a more sustainable initiative.

For this reason, the argument between equity and merit is frequently presented in an overly limited manner. Competence and compassion are not mutually exclusive. Access should be guided by equity to guarantee that everyone has an equal opportunity to begin. Merit must, however, drive advancement so that people can thrive, succeed, and contribute without having to bear the stigma of being perceived as "helped" rather than competent.

In the end, most societies would prefer to celebrate a leader known for overcoming obstacles and proving their strength, rather than one remembered only for the label attached to their admission. Opportunity should be a bridge, not a crutch. Strong buildings do not fail from lack of proportionate height. In such a case, the center of gravity would just shift (like the leaning tower of Pisa). They only fail when the foundation beneath them is never truly strengthened. BSFW!!!

What do you think, dear reader? Should elite universities prioritise merit or racial equity in admissions decisions? Let me know what you think in the comments section.