Separation of Religion and Education

Separation of Religion and Education

Under China’s policy of separation of religion and education, no organization or individual may conduct religious activities that interfere with the functioning of the educational system. Religion may not be manipulated to hinder access to education, including educational programs for the public, or obstruct the implementation of compulsory education, or any normal teaching activity in schools. To be specific, no schools, other than seminaries established with government approval, are authorized to: conduct religious activities; offer courses on religion or spread religion among students, organize educational trips to religious sites, or disrupt or obstruct school education about morality, science and culture; or force or induce students to become believers, or conduct any activities in schools with the aim of recruiting worshippers or establishing religious bodies and organizations. Secondary and elementary schools may not use textbooks that spread religion. College textbooks for particular courses that discuss issues of religion are subject to review and approval by competent educational authorities at the provincial level or above. Students may not join illegal religious organizations or participate in illegal religious assemblies. Teachers may not take advantage of their position to spread religion in class or introduce students to religious activities. Foreign teachers are prohibited from conducting missionary activities on campus.

教育与宗教相分离

我国实行的是教育与宗教相分离，任何组织或者个人不得利用宗教进行妨碍国家教育制度的活动，这主要有两层含义：一是不得利用宗教妨碍公民接受教育和社会公共教育，不得利用宗教妨碍义务教育的实施；二是不得利用宗教妨碍学校教学活动的正常进行，具体是指除经政府批准设立的宗教院校外，在各级各类学校中；（1）不得进行宗教活动；（2）不得开设宗教课或向学生传播宗教，不得组织学生到宗教活动场所开展教学和实践活动，干扰、阻挠学校向学生进行思想品德和科学文化教育；（3）不得强迫、诱使学生信仰宗教，更不得在学校内从事任何发展教徒、成立宗教团体和组织的活动；（4）中等和中等以下学校的教材不得有宣传宗教思想的内容，大学某些学科采用有宗教内容的教材应经省级以上教育行政主管部门审批；（5）学生不得参加非法的宗教组织和宗教聚会活动；（6）教师不得利用工作之便，在教学中进行宗教宣传和带领学生参加宗教活动，严禁外籍教师在学校从事传播宗教的活动。