They’re called Confucius Classrooms, named after an ancient Chinese philosopher and they are becoming more and more popular throughout the United States. They are classes, paid for in part by China and designed to teach U.S. school kids Chinese language and culture. Proponents say it’s one extra tool students can use to be competitive in the global environment, but critics say it’s nothing more than a subtle attempt by the Chinese government to spread pro-China propaganda.
Confucius classrooms have been around for the past few years and there are currently 60 of them from New York to Oregon. Each is administered through a network of organizations and universities that have deals with the Hanban, China’s official language teaching agency. Chinese officials insist the programs have nothing to do with communism and the curriculum was created to help clear up misunderstandings about China. Some parents are not so sure.
In Hacienda Heights, California, just east of Los Angeles, the notion of a Confucius Classroom was highly controversial and caused an uproar in the community. Many parents and longtime community members spoke out against the program suggesting that their kids would be exposed to a communist agenda. However, in the end some issues were resolved and the school board voted to put the classes in place to begin this fall.
At Riverview Elementary, in Lakeside, California, just outside of San Diego, third graders are learning Mandarin at a rapid pace. The principal there, Olympia Kyriakidis insists this is a major asset for her students. She says in addition to Spanish and multi-media classes, her kids are going to be at the top of their game and ready to compete in the global market. As for concerns that there might be some hidden message being taught in the classes, Kyriakidis says she and her staff personally review all the materials by hand and have yet to find anything off color. She says it’s all about language and culture, no politics.
The principal also points to a large American flag hanging in the corner of the room, and says no matter what it’s America First…. each class starts with the Pledge of Allegiance to the United States.