Russia’s war on Ukraine: China schools its teachers with classroom guide to Beijing’s messaging
- More than a dozen universities and vocational schools are taking part in the campaign to guide students’ understanding of the conflict
- Political education teachers are required to attend lectures and online briefings as part of ‘collective class-preparation’ used to nurture patriotism
Tertiary teachers of ideological political education across multiple provinces are reportedly required to attend lectures or online briefings under a “collective class-preparation over the Russia-Ukraine situation” campaign to strengthen ideological control in classrooms.
Based on school notices posted online, it appears the campaign has been organised by provincial governments, local education departments and Marxism colleges in tertiary institutions where experts on Russia-Ukraine politics were invited to speak on the subject.
While it remains unclear how widespread is the campaign, an internet search revealed more than a dozen tertiary institutions – including universities and vocational schools in Shaanxi, Zhejiang, Shandong, Heilongjiang and Guangdong provinces – had posted about their participation.
“Collective class-preparation” campaigns are seen as a vital measure in strengthening ideological control in China.
Similar campaigns in previous years have included the study of President Xi Jinping Thought and other political messages, such as China’s coronavirus response, as a way of nurturing patriotism among students.