Gallery | 85 : English Class

Children learning Maoist slogans in English.

In the 1970s travel to China by Europeans was heavily controlled and what these visitors saw when they came was under the watchful eye of the People's Liberation Army.

The message on visits to schools was the huge progress that had been made under Communist rule. It is undeniable that many more children received education than ever before. Prior to the Revolution the majority of Chinese people could not read or write.

This picture shows a suitably patriotic and correct message for the visitors to see :

"Welcome to our classroom
We love Chairman Mao
Chairman Mao is our great liberator
Chairman Mao is the red sun in our hearts
Chairman Mao always lives in our hearts

The sun is red
The sun is bright
Far and wide, it sheds its light
Oh, what a bright sun, we have today
The sun is Chairman Mao
The sun is our Party"

This archive photograph was taken by a SACU member visiting China in 1978.