New Measures for Religious Institution Teachers Announced
(China – December 17, 2024) The National Bureau of Religious Affairs has issued new versions of the “Measures for the Qualification Recognition and Title Evaluation of Teachers of Religious Institutions” and the “Measures for the Granting of Academic Titles to Teachers of Religious Institutions”, replacing the “Interim Measures for Qualification Recognition and Title Appointment of Teachers of Religious Institutions” and the “Interim Measures for the Granting of Degrees by Religious Institutions” issued in 2012. The newly introduced measures will take effect on January 1, 2025, and the revised provisions are heavily imbued with political overtones.
The official website of China’s National Bureau of Religious Affairs published the full text of the new “Measures for the Qualification Recognition and Title Evaluation of Teachers of Religious Institutions” and the “Measures for the Granting of Academic Titles to Teachers of Religious Institutions” on October 31.
Major Changes to Teacher Qualification Requirements
The “Measures for the Qualification Recognition and Title Evaluation of Teachers of Religious Institutions” consists of five chapters and 31 articles.
The new version of the “Measures for the Qualification Recognition and Title Evaluation of Teachers of Religious Institutions” specifies in Chapter 2, Article 10 (Qualification Recognition): The first criterion for applying for teachers of religious institutions’ qualifications has been revised. The phrase “love the country and love the religion” from the original version has been amended to “love the country,” with the words “love the religion” removed. Additionally, it introduces new requirements: “Consciously implement the Party’s theories and policies on religious work in the new era and uphold our country’s direction of the sinicization of religion.”
This provision revises the original 2012 version, where “willing to engage in teaching at religious institutions” was amended to the restriction of being a “citizen of the People’s Republic of China.”
After this revision, the new version prohibits foreign lecturers who are not citizens of the People’s Republic of China from holding teaching positions at religious institutions in China. This could lead to the potential loss of teaching qualifications for the very few foreign teachers who currently work at Chinese religious institutions.
Revised Rules for Academic Title Granting
The “Measures for the Granting of Academic Titles to Teachers of Religious Institutions” consists of five chapters and twenty-seven articles. The first article of the general provisions removes the clause from the original version that stated “according to the principle of the separation of religion and education,” and adds: “The criteria for granting academic titles to teachers of religious institutions are based on being politically reliable, having expertise in religion, being exemplary in character, and being effective in key moments.”
In the new version, Article 3 adds: “According to the principle of the separation of education and religion, education in religious institutions is not part of the national education system.”
Chapter 3, Article 16, which outlines the conditions for granting academic titles, introduces new provisions. In addition to the “academic requirements, academic level, or professional expertise,” it includes the following as qualifications for granting academic titles: “Love for the country and love for religion, adherence to the Constitution and laws, commitment to the direction of our country’s sinicization of religion, adherence to the principle of independence and self-management, and good moral character.”
Political Overtones and Xi Jinping’s Influence
The National Bureau for Religious Affairs stated that the promulgation and implementation of the new “Measures for the Qualification Recognition and Title Evaluation of Teachers of Religious Institutions” and the “Measures for the Granting of Academic Titles to Teachers of Religious Institutions” will help systematically advance the sinicization of religion in China, strengthen the rule of law in the governance of religious affairs, and deeply implement the “Regulations on Religious Affairs”.
The newly revised versions of the two “Measures” contain traces that clearly reflect the political demands imposed on religious groups during Xi Jinping’s leadership. Two new sections state:
- “Consciously implement the Party’s religious work theory and policies in the new era, and uphold our country’s direction of sinicization of religion,” and
- “Cultivate a team of religious representatives who are politically reliable, have religious expertise, possess moral integrity, and able to be effective in key moments.”
These sections are taken from Xi Jinping’s speech at the National Religious Work Conference in December 2021.
Impact on Religious Education and Political Neutrality
The added content in the new versions of the two “Measures” will force lecturers of religious institutions to take a political stance. Under the strong pressure of the regime, the teaching content will include political elements, thus drawing “politically neutral” and “academically neutral” religious groups and teachers into the political vortex.
(Reported by Special Correspondent Gao Zhensai of ChinaAid)
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