National Meeting Advances Reform of Ideological and Political Courses in Chinese Universities for the New Era

Recent National Push for Ideological and Political Education Reform in Chinese Universities

In a significant development for China's higher education landscape, the 2026 National Education Work Conference, held on January 8-9 in Beijing, underscored major advances in the construction and reform of ideological and political courses, known as 'sīzhèngkè' or 思政课 (short for sīxiǎng zhèngzhì kè, ideological and political courses). These mandatory classes form the cornerstone of moral and political education in universities, aiming to instill socialist core values, patriotism, and Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era among students.6855 Attended by top officials including Minister of Education Huai Jinpeng, the meeting highlighted the first systematic revision of university ideological and political course syllabi in 20 years, signaling a renewed commitment to enhancing their relevance and appeal in the digital age.

This reform aligns with President Xi Jinping's longstanding emphasis on 'Lì dé shù rén' (立德树人), the fundamental task of fostering virtue through education while cultivating talented individuals for the nation. The conference positioned these courses as pivotal in building a high-quality education system to support China's modernization drive by 2035.66

Understanding Ideological and Political Courses in Chinese Higher Education

Ideological and political courses in Chinese universities encompass a structured curriculum designed to equip students with a deep understanding of Marxism-Leninism, Mao Zedong Thought, Deng Xiaoping Theory, the Three Represents, the Scientific Outlook on Development, and particularly Xi Jinping Thought. Typically offered across all undergraduate programs, these courses include subjects like 'Introduction to the Basic Principles of Marxism,' 'Mao Zedong Thought and the Theoretical System of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics,' 'Ideological and Moral Cultivation and Legal Basis,' 'History of Chinese Modern and Contemporary,' and the flagship 'Overview of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era.'67

Unlike elective humanities classes in Western universities, 思政课 are compulsory, occupying 13-16 credits in most bachelor's programs. They emphasize not just theoretical knowledge but practical application through case studies of China's achievements in poverty alleviation, technological innovation, and ecological civilization. This holistic approach aims to shape students' worldview, values, and sense of national mission, preparing them as socialist builders and successors.

The courses have evolved from rote memorization in earlier decades to interactive, multimedia formats today, reflecting broader pedagogical reforms.

Historical Evolution and Xi Jinping's Vision

The roots of ideological and political education trace back to the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949, but a pivotal moment came in September 2016 when President Xi delivered a landmark speech at Beijing Normal University. He called for making ideological and political courses the most popular and effective classes, urging teachers to be 'conscientious, responsible, and competent' in transmitting faith in Marxism and socialism.26

Under Xi's leadership, reforms intensified: the 2019 Opinions on Deepening the Reform of School Ideological and Political Education promoted curriculum integration (课程思政), embedding ideological elements across all disciplines—from engineering to arts. By 2023, national standards ensured every major had ideological-political components. The 2026 conference builds on this, responding to new challenges like digital misinformation and global ideological competition.67

For those pursuing careers in Chinese academia, exploring opportunities at university jobs platforms can provide insights into roles shaping this vital area.

Key Details of the 2026 Syllabus Revision

The headline achievement from the conference is the comprehensive overhaul of university 思政课 syllabi—the first since 2006. This revision incorporates contemporary developments, such as China's high-quality development under the 14th Five-Year Plan, advancements in AI and quantum tech, and Belt and Road Initiative successes. Core updates include:

• Expanded coverage of Xi Jinping Thought as a standalone introductory course, with modular designs for flexibility across disciplines.
• Integration of 'Four Histories' (党史, 新中国史, 改革开放史, 社会主义发展史) for historical depth.
• Enhanced practical modules linking theory to real-world cases, like rural revitalization and common prosperity.

Implementation begins with pilots for 2026 freshmen in select universities, scaling nationwide by 2027. This step-by-step process ensures teacher training and resource alignment.5560

Building the 'Social Big Classroom': Over 550 Practice Bases

A major innovation is the nationwide network of 550+ 'social big classroom' practice bases, transforming abstract theory into experiential learning. These sites—museums, revolutionary memorials, tech parks, and rural cooperatives—allow students to witness China's progress firsthand. For instance, visits to the Beijing Central Axis or Huawei's Shenzhen campus illustrate cultural confidence and innovation self-reliance.

The conference stressed synergizing main classroom teaching, social practice, and online platforms to form a 'big ideological-political pattern.' This addresses student feedback on courses needing more relevance amid fast-changing global dynamics.55

Such initiatives enhance engagement, with surveys showing practice-linked courses boosting comprehension by 30-40%.

Case Study: Renmin University's Leadership in 'Gold Course' Development

Renmin University of China (RUC) exemplifies reform success through its '1+6+N' gold course matrix. The core 'Overview of Xi Jinping Thought' course anchors six levels from undergraduate to PhD, supplemented by electives and integrations. RUC produced over 30 key textbooks, including 10-volume 'History of Marxist Development,' and digital resources viewed 50 million+ times.

Their 'Pioneer' practice system spans 277 sessions in 34 cities, fostering alliances with 234 schools. Teacher teams, modeled on 'six standards' (politics, passion, innovation, etc.), earned national accolades. RUC's model offers scalable blueprints for other institutions.67Ministry of Education reports highlight such exemplars.

Innovations Across Other Leading Universities

Tsinghua University, first university speaker at the conference, prioritizes 思政课 in its 'Double First-Class' strategy, blending VR simulations of historical events with AI-personalized learning paths. Peking University leverages summer schools for global perspectives on ideological transitions.

Provincial efforts, like Shanghai's 'Big Ideological-Political Lesson' trial zones (7 overall, 28 universities), integrate multidisciplinary approaches. These cases demonstrate diverse adaptations, from urban museums to rural bases, ensuring nationwide coverage.

Faculty interested in these dynamic roles may find relevant positions via higher ed faculty jobs.

Technology's Role: Digital and AI Integration

Embracing the digital era, reforms incorporate AI for personalized content, big data analytics for student feedback, and platforms like 'Xuexi Qiangguo' app for supplementary study. Network 'new classrooms' enable hybrid models, reaching remote students effectively.

Pilots show AI-enhanced courses improving retention by 25%, with ethical guidelines ensuring ideological fidelity. This fusion addresses youth digital natives' preferences while safeguarding core values.68

Challenges and Targeted Solutions

Despite progress, challenges persist: varying teacher quality, student perceptions of irrelevance, and balancing theory-practice. Solutions include elite teacher training (14.5M+ trained nationally), competition incentives, and feedback loops.

• Teacher development: Mentorship and 'Huang Danian-style' teams.
• Student engagement: Gamified apps and peer teaching.
• Evaluation: Outcome-based assessments over exams.

These measures aim to make 思政课 the 'most popular course,' as Xi envisioned.

Future Outlook: Implications for China's Higher Education

Looking to 2035, these reforms position universities as ideological fortresses and innovation hubs. Expect fuller curriculum思政 integration, expanded international exchanges under high-level openness, and metrics tracking societal impact.

For global academics eyeing China, resources like higher ed career advice and China education jobs offer pathways. The reforms promise a more robust, adaptive system nurturing global talent.

Photo by Emma Dau on Unsplash

Conclusion: A New Era for University Ideological Education

The 2026 conference marks a milestone, revitalizing ideological and political courses to meet new era demands. By revising syllabi, expanding practice, and leveraging tech, China ensures universities produce morally grounded innovators. Explore faculty openings at higher ed jobs, rate experiences on Rate My Professor, or seek advice via career advice to engage with this evolving field.