Florida to teach Communist history in kindergarten to counter universities

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed a bill mandating the teaching of the history of communism in public schools from kindergarten through 12th grade.

The lessons on communism, starting from 2026-27 (school year), will cover its history in the United States and globally, underlining the atrocities committed under various communist regimes.

DeSantis said that it is important to provide students with the truth about communism. He signed the bill on Wednesday.

The lessons will be required to be “age appropriate and developmentally appropriate” for each grade and will be developed by the Florida Department of Education, reported Al news.

"My view is we might as well give them the truth when they are in our schools, because a lot of these universities will tell them how great communism is, so we are setting up the proper foundation," reported Al news quoting DeSantis.

The bill signing coincides with the 63rd anniversary of the Bay of Pigs invasion of 1961, the last attempt to overthrow Fidel Castro's communist regime in Cuba.

DeSantis underscored the commitment to educating people about communism's reality, saying, "We are committed to telling the truth about this ideology, and we are going to make sure that people have a very accurate understanding of the human carnage that has resulted from communist regimes throughout history."

Additionally, the bill establishes the Institute for Freedom in the Americas at Miami Dade College, aimed at promoting democracy in the Americas and preserving the ideals of a free society.

"Through the institute, both Florida University (FIU) and Miami Dade College will partner to make sure that we preserve democracy in the Americas. We are as good as our memory is," Madeline Pumariega, Miami Dade College president was quoted as saying by Al news.

The law also outlines plans to create a museum on the history of communism.

DeSantis said he received potential interest from Miami officials in hosting the museum.

"I am sure there’s going to be a lot of people down here that are going to want to see it located down here in Miami. We will see how that works out," DeSantis said.

The Department of State and the Department of Education are tasked with recommending the museum's specifics to the Legislature by December 1.