The Chinese government is currently considering requiring all college counselors to be members of the Communist Party of China (CPC), according to a Tuesday draft issued by the Ministry of Education, as part of efforts to strengthen the country's ideological education.
The amendment to the original political requirements for college counselors is aimed at strengthening student management and optimizing the work of counselors, according to the ministry.
The roles of college counselors are to facilitate ideological education, to manage classes and to provide personal and academic counseling services.
If the amendment pushes through, every college counselor will be required to be a CPC member and must undergo relevant ideological and political education. As of now, anyone with a bachelor's degree who obtains a related training certification is qualified to be a counselor.
The proposal also requires counselors to be patriotic and loyal to the CPC. They must also conduct themselves properly without making any statements that are harmful to the national interest and the growth of students.
Counselors must also actively study ideological and political education, according to the amendment.
College counselors must carry out the core values of socialism and integrate these values into all aspect of students' lives.
The ministry urged counselors to strengthen their communication with students, including closely watching students' online activities and offering guidance on topics of public discussion. Counselors must also promote ideological and political education online, taking the initiative to promote values in Internet discourse.
"Since some students do not pay attention to Marxist values, it is urgent that the Party win them over," said Tang Zhongbao, an associate professor at the School of Marxism of Jiangnan University.
Since January, China has been emphasizing ideological education at universities, highlighting the importance of championing Marxism, the Chinese Dream, socialist core values and traditional culture.