A recent decision to implement a curriculum from mainland China in a southern California school has provoked a debate over the motives behind the program, and what should and should not be taught in American classrooms.
The Hacienda La Puente Unified School District committee voted 4-1 in late January to approve the Confucius Classroom program at Cedarlane Middle School, beginning this September. With no cost to the school district, the instructors and teaching materials are provided directly by the Office of Chinese Language Council International, called “HanBan.”
HanBan presents itself as a nonprofit, nongovernmental organization, but it is affiliated with the Ministry of Education in China and is composed of members from 12 state ministries and commissions.
The Hacienda La Puente Unified School District committee voted 4-1 in late January to approve the Confucius Classroom program at Cedarlane Middle School, beginning this September. With no cost to the school district, the instructors and teaching materials are provided directly by the Office of Chinese Language Council International, called “HanBan.”
HanBan presents itself as a nonprofit, nongovernmental organization, but it is affiliated with the Ministry of Education in China and is composed of members from 12 state ministries and commissions.
'You Can’t Indoctrinate Our Children'
Those opposed to introducing the curriculum in the United States argue that as a product from mainland China, Confucius Classroom curriculum is a means for the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) to maneuver into free societies under the false pretext of promoting the benign philosophy of Confucius, while the real agenda is propaganda—to foster good will and acceptance of the communist regime, despite its continued record of massive human rights abuses.
Mary Ann King, the former host of the popular children’s television series “Romper Room” for almost a decade, is among those who do not support the Confucius Classroom program.
“Children are so vulnerable. They are little sponges that absorb everything. We have to be very careful what we present to them, so that they will not lose their allegiance to America,” she said. “I’m not against cultural
Mary Ann King, the former host of the popular children’s television series “Romper Room” for almost a decade, is among those who do not support the Confucius Classroom program.
“Children are so vulnerable. They are little sponges that absorb everything. We have to be very careful what we present to them, so that they will not lose their allegiance to America,” she said. “I’m not against cultural
