Previous | Next 

Beijing
Teaching in China thrives despite concerns


Despite recent fears that the China Education Exchange program might be in jeopardy, CEE continues to offer English language training and a Christian witness in universities and technical schools in China. CEE is a partnership of various Mennonite-related agencies including MBMS International, the global mission agency of the MB churches in Canada and the US.

Last year, China’s State Foreign Experts Bureau, which oversees foreign educational programs, informed CEE administrators that the organization would no longer be allowed to officially send English teachers to China. Specific reasons for this suspension were not given.

In fall 2001, CEE staff gave a written report on the agency’s activities to the State Foreign Experts Bureau, as requested. To date, no response has been received regarding a reversal of the suspension. CEE director Merryl Byler reports that in practice teachers have been allowed to continue working and the agency has sent new teachers.

Warren Harder, one of three CEE teachers sent through MBMSI, has taught English to professors at Chongqing Medical University and doctors at one of its affiliated hospitals for nearly five years. He reports that just like the teachers in the US and Canada, he is not allowed to use the classroom to discuss or propagate his religion.

“As a ‘foreign expert’, I sign an agreement that I will not use the classroom for spreading religion,” he states. “That means my faith needs to be lived out. As I get to know students some of them ask about my faith and some do not.”

Melanie Regier, who is completing a three-year term with CEE, reports, “Many people at home ask me if I have freedom to speak about my faith. My answer to this is that at school I am given about the same freedom that I took while teaching in an American high school. I am respectful to my leaders in their requests not to proselytize. Trained religious leaders teach religion in China.”

Ron Penner, director of personnel services for MBMSI, was in China last March. He visited Regier and another CEE teacher, Holly Mattos. “The teachers live on campus, as do most of the faculty, so the interaction with students outside of the classroom is high. To see the effect of our CEE teachers in the classrooms, and to see how we were received, one has to be amazed at the impact a few people can have in significant centres of learning.”

As of February 2002, CEE has a representative office in Beijing which is registered with the government. Through that office, CEE can now obtain visas for persons who may work outside of the university system, such as community development assignments. Teachers continue to receive their visas through the institution in which they are placed.

Supporting agencies of CEE include Mennonite Mission Network, Mennonite Church Canada, Mennonite Central Committee and MBMSI.

 – Lisa Alvey, MBMS International

Previous | Next 

Last modified August 13, 2002.

© 2002 Mennonite Brethren Herald.
Published by the Canadian Conference of MB Churches.
Masthead and usage information.