EIS teachers want inquiry into Beijing involvement with Mandarin classes

Pupils at one Confucius Institute sang a song in praise of President Xi, a Chinese whistleblower said
Pupils at one Confucius Institute sang a song in praise of President Xi, a Chinese whistleblower said
JU PENG/AP

Members of Scotland’s biggest teaching union have demanded an investigation into Chinese government funding for teaching Mandarin in schools.

A branch of the Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS) claims Beijing-funded education in Scottish schools is “inappropriate given the human rights record of the Chinese government”.

The union’s Fife members will call on teachers at the EIS conference, which begins on Thursday, to back its demand for an investigation into this funding.

The campaign has been backed by the Scottish Greens, who have long highlighted the “sinister” influence exerted by the Beijing regime.

The Chinese state funds Confucius hubs at 21 high schools and 19 primary schools in Scotland, billed as a partnership to “promote joint planning of cultural activities, sharing ideas and resources to stimulate