Durkheimian symbols

I am considering the role of symbols in the Chinese classroom and the extent to which these symbols might be shifting. Collins discusses symbols in his book "Interaction Ritual Chains" and he draws heavily on Durkheimian notions of solidarity.

solidary requires "bodily assembly" but also mutual focus of attention which can be generated through shared symbols which become "Durkheimian sacred objects"...Collins, IRC, p. 83

pp. 97-99 Collins lists a series of questions to assist us in deconstructing prexisting symbols for example: "Is it treated as an item of more than personal value, proclaimed as a value that is or ought to be widely shared? Is it regarded as incommensurate with merely utilitarian values?...etc."

"next reconstruct as best as possible what IRs have surrounded that emblem. who assembled, in what numbers, with what frequency or schedule? what emotions were expressed, what activities brought a focus of attention, what intensity of collective effervesence was generated? to what degree were individual participants charge with emotional energy; and what did it motivate them to do? what were the barriers to participation: who was divided by the ritual from whom? who ws thereby ranked over whom?" p. 98

secondary circulation of symbols...

I am thinking that traditionally in chinese classrooms the most potent symbols have been the exam, the text, the teacher, the top student and the ranking of students, the one right and perfect answer...and there are efforts to dissipate or modulate the power of all of these symbols as a result of the new curriculum reforms. but are there other symbols to replace them? there is the vision of the well-rounded individual, capable of creative thinking, capable of eloquent self-expression, the image of the cooperating team members...nationalistic symbols were there before and still remain...educate yourselves to contribute to the motherland to the great renaissance of the chinese people in the 21st century. but these symbols lack immediacy somehow, they are a little abstract, somehow unable to generate the mutual focus of attention that an all out effort to pass the examination once held. so the old symbols die hard. parents at least insist that students do well on exams and and are ranked, for example...