China’s Schools Turn to ‘Jane Eyre’ to Teach Teen Romance Amid Censorship Crackdown

China introduces 'Jane Eyre' in schools to promote healthy values amid media crackdown. Educators and critics weigh in.

September 17, 2026 One Min Read

POLICY WIRE — Beijing, China — Chinese schools have included Charlotte Brontë’s 19th-century novel ‘Jane Eyre’ on the mandatory reading list for teenagers, marking a shift in how romance and values are taught in an increasingly regulated educational environment.

The book, which tells the story of an orphaned girl who overcomes hardship to find love and independence, is being promoted by state media as a way to counter what it calls superficial views of relationships shaped by social media and online entertainment.

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While the novel has long been popular in China, its inclusion in the curriculum has sparked debate among educators and parents. Some argue that it offers valuable lessons on character and emotional growth, while others question whether modern students can relate to its themes or if it perpetuates problematic ideas about gender and colonialism.

Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)

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