Hong Kong (CNN) China has announced a ban on foreign teaching materials like textbooks and classic novels in all public primary and secondary schools -- a move experts say is an attempt to tighten ideological control of students across the country.

The guideline , published by the Ministry of Education on Tuesday, stated classrooms must feature teaching materials that "insist on the guiding principles of Marxism and reflect the Chinese style."

"All primary and secondary school teaching materials must reflect the will of the party and the country," the notice read, so that students would "bear the great responsibility of the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation."

Exceptions will only apply to senior high schools that offer joint classes with foreign education institutions.

The education ministry also announced it would tighten its review system for all teaching materials, and those deemed to contain "problems of political direction or value orientation" would not be approved. Materials covering topics with strong ideological principles, such as national sovereignty and religion, will be written and distributed directly to schools.

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