In the study of Marxs theory and practice of ideological and political education, there is an important aspect that has been neglected, which is the criticism of the ruling classs ideological and political education in the past. Marx and Engels have revealed the fact that the exploiting class used ideological and political education to whitewash exploitation, to fool the people, to monopolize the spiritual resources, so as to safeguard their reactionary rule. Marx and Engels also deeply criticized the religious indoctrination, the philosophical defense, the moral education, the public opinion propaganda of the ruling class. The critical thought of Marx and Engels is still of great significance to the current ideological and political education in China.