context: Ideological education is increasingly emphasised under the leadership of Xi Jinping 习近平. The newly updated textbooks for compulsory education strongly emphasise Xi Jinping Thoughts. On 1 September 2024, Xi published an article in Qiushi titled ‘Cultivating well-rounded socialist builders and successors who are developed in moral, intellectual, physical, aesthetic and labour education’. The article incorporates parts of his speech at the national education conference in Beijing on 10 September 2018.
Xi Jinping 习近平 contends that the PRC education system must not produce individuals who undermine socialism, nor should it cultivate people who ‘look Chinese but lack Chinese spirit, sentiment and character’. He notes the need to avoid this historical error at all costs, with no room for compromise or ambiguity.
Xi lays out the qualities he is looking for in the next generation of students, including
- strong beliefs
- confidence in the path, theory, system and culture of socialism with Chinese characteristics
- with a determination to take on the responsibilities of national rejuvenation
- patriotic
- the core and soul of the Chinese nation
- love and support the Communist Party
- a commitment to serving the people and the nation
- moral character
- practise the core socialist values
- focusing on personal integrity, public virtue and great moral strength
- acquire knowledge
- gaining knowledge and understanding the principles of truth and reason
- diligence and perseverance
- set high goals
- maintain a positive, action-oriented outlook on life
- all-round abilities
- develop skills and innovative thinking
- prioritise health through physical education
- improve aesthetic and cultural literacy
- foster a respect for labour through promoting a strong work ethic
The article stresses the importance of textbook development, highlighting that textbooks are
- the primary medium for knowledge dissemination
- a reflection of a nation’s value system
- essential tools for both teaching and learning
Textbooks should
- uphold Marxism as the guiding principle
- reflect the adaptation of Marxism to the Chinese context
- embody the distinct characteristics of Chinese culture and the nation
- align with the educational goals set by the Party and state
- represent the core values of the nation and the people
- incorporate the accumulated knowledge and innovative achievements of human culture