People's Republic in the Classroom: The People's Republic of China has been providing much of the capital to keep the U.S. government operating through its purchase of American debt. Now it is helping to shape our school curricula as well. The Chinese government is providing teaching materials and instructional assistance free of charge to school districts across the United States for the teaching of Chinese language and culture. The Hacienda La Puente Unified School District in Los Angeles adopted the program by a 4-1 vote in January of this year, though not without some controversy.
'I am not against the teaching of foreign languages, but this is a propaganda machine from the People's Republic of China that has no place anywhere in the United States,' said John Kramer, a former superintendent of the district told the Los Angeles Times.
'A lot of people are saying it's a way for the Chinese people to brainwash our students. They are really misinformed,' Jay Chen, vice president of the Hacienda La Puente board told the Times. 'From Oregon to Rhode Island, public schools have implemented the same program. As far as I can see, nothing sinister is going on.'
