In primary schools in provinces of Hebei, Shandong, and Shaanxi, students are required to learn Chinese classics like The Analects of Confucius, which advocate traditional virtues of the Chinese nation such as filial piety, integrity and friendship.

Hu Aihong, headmaster of Shungeng Primary School in Jinan City in Shandong, said the stories illustrate core socialist values, which can help children learn the doctrine easier and better.

"I do not care much about how much doctrines they can recite. Children can develop good characters and behaviors as a result of learning virtues from ancient classics," said Fan Xinhui, mother of a primary school student in Shijiazhuang City, capital of north China's Hebei Province.

However, China has been undergoing great change during the past 35 years along with rapid development since it launched the opening up and reform drive. Mass communication with the world and diversified cultures, such as Internet culture, have brought new social problems, said Yu.

Yin Ping, a Chinese teacher at Shunwen Middle School in Jinan, said considering the complicated social environment, parents should not just rely on schools and teachers. They also have to shoulder responsibilities to help their children know right from wrong, she said.