China Adds Jane Eyre to School Curriculum as Part of Ideological Campaign Chinese authorities have included Charlotte Brontc's Jane Eyre in the new curriculum to promote real love over superficial social media ideals, sparking debate over its suitability for modern teenagers. In China, the return of teenagers to schools has revealed an unexpected highlight on the new curriculum: Charlotte Brontc's 19th‑century English novel Jane Eyre has been added to the required reading list for 14‑year‑olds. The China daily paper, Beijing Daily, announced the move as part of a broader cultural strategy to counter what it calls the shallow values promoted by social media. By teaching pupils the story of an orphan who finds dignity, independence and, ultimately, love with her wealthy employer, officials say students will learn to value real affection over superficial displays of status.The decision arrived just months after the Ministry of Radio, Television and Film intensified its crackdown on what it labels "harmful and low‑brow" entertainment. In 2023 the regulator introduced a campaign to curb programmes that portray distorted romantic ideals, including lavish dramas featuring billionaires, revenge plots and con artists. Beijing Daily framed Jane Eyre as a foil to this trend, describing it as a coming‑of‑age narrative that balances traditional narrative with the modern desire for love and compassion.The paper further argued that the narrative is particularly appropriate for children at the onset of romantic feelings, a crucial period for building a healthy character. The novel, which first arrived in China in 1925, has long been a favourite among the public and the Chinese Communist Party. The text has been translated, adapted into stage productions and even shown in Chinese cinemas following the Cultural Revolution.It was brought into classrooms at the primary‑school level as a statement of the value of emotional education, especially when a 2021 ministerial directive emphasised moral instruction alongside core academic subjects. Former literature graduate Qin Shiwen, who studied at Peking University, told CNN that the inclusion of Jane Eyre is "essential" because the education system emphasises achievement with little time left for lessons on love or character.However, the choice has not gone unchallenged. Some parents on the social media platform Xiaohongshu raised concerns that the novel was too complex and might lead young people to misinterpret romantic relationships. One parent asked why "Jane chooses to marry a man who was blind" and declared the plot "a bad deal." Sociologist Yan Hairong from Tsinghua University also warned that the novel, with its historical context and sometimes troubling elements - such as a portrayal of a mad woman in the attic and colonial undertones - might be absorbed by students without critical analysis. He questioned whether the story would help teenagers develop healthy values or simply reinforce problematic narratives.In the wake of these debates, officials have defended the decision by stressing that the book promotes an individual who remains independent - a trait valued by the Communist Party - while encouraging respectful love. The education package, unveiled this month, is intended to align pupils' thoughts with the party's core values, including the moral code propagated by Xi Jinping's thought.The move illustrates the tension between adhering to ideological conformity and addressing the socio‑cultural aspirations of a younger generation who consume global media at unprecedented speed.