Information about the coronavirus pandemic will soon be in Chinese textbooks across the country, according to new recommendations released by the Ministry of Education last week. Content related to multiple subjects, such as health, history, Chinese literature, physical education, and of course, biology, will soon be taught as part of China’s compulsory curriculum in grades one through nine. The document explicitly states that the content will be included in national textbooks, but it is unclear how these measures will impact international schools. International school sources asked to comment stated that they have yet to include new COVID-related curriculum but were required to provide basic hygiene and science education to students prior to re-opening. This included providing students with information on handwashing and how diseases spread.
The newly-proposed curriculum was drafted in response to publicly submitted recommendations at the 13th National People’s Congress (NPC). The proposal advocated for educators to celebrate China’s COVID-19 successes through comprehensive content. The NPC is China’s largest forum to solicit public opinions and policy input. The Ministry of Education’s recent notice does not provide a timetable for drafting this new content but does provide an overview of this curriculum’s three core components.
The first focuses on “cultivating public service awareness,” aiming to motivate students to respond appropriately and proactively in the event of national crises or disasters. This will include content on key leaders in China’s COVID response efforts and character training regarding bravery, perseverance, and having the “daring to act.” According to Chinese media Sixth Tone, the new curriculum will include: “Knowledge of outbreak prevention and control, and content about “the spirit of fighting the pandemic… ‘Students will learn about key figures who emerged during outbreak prevention and control efforts, as well as their deeds,’ the ministry said.”
The second section will provide information on infectious disease prevention, including information on the impact and causes of diseases, as well as other relevant examples. In this third section, students will receive information on State and Party contributions to public safety, with China’s attention to people’s wellbeing and safety as a core component.
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