Schools in trouble for finding out about students' family backgrounds

(Dan Tri) - A survey of economic conditions of students' families at a high school is causing fierce controversy in Chinese public opinion.

A group of trainee teachers at Longming High School in Shanghai, China, conducted a survey and sent it to students to assess their family's economic conditions.

Images of the survey form have appeared on social media, causing fierce debate among the public in the country of a billion people. The survey form includes questions asking students to self-assess their family's economic conditions and social status.

The answer to this question is illustrated by a ladder with steps from 1 to 10. Step 1 corresponds to parents with low education and low-income jobs. Step 10 corresponds to parents with high education and high-income jobs.

Longming High School in Shanghai (China) is in trouble because of its economic survey of students' families (Illustration photo: SCMP).

As soon as the image of the survey form spread on social media, many controversial opinions broke out. Many people said that schools and teachers should not find out about the economic conditions of students' families in this way. If information is needed to know about students with difficult circumstances in order to provide timely support, schools and teachers need to proceed in a more tactful and psychological way.

Immediately after the incident caused a stir in public opinion, the Minhang District Education Bureau - the agency in charge of managing Longming High School - issued a statement explaining the incident. Accordingly, the survey was submitted by a group of intern teachers at the school. This group of intern teachers is still studying at the teacher training college and is currently doing an internship at Longming High School.

A group of teacher trainees distributed the survey to students without consulting the school. The group of teacher trainees were in charge of social science subjects and distributed the survey for university research purposes.

Regarding this incident, the Minhang District Education Bureau requested the Longming School Board to review the process of managing trainee teachers, and then issued a decision to reprimand the group of trainee teachers. Finally, the school had to arrange a meeting, explain and apologize to the students and parents for this incident.

However, on social media, many parents shared that it is not uncommon for schools to ask about parents’ education, employment, and marital status. Many parents believe that this inquiry is necessary so that teachers can understand and care appropriately for students with special circumstances.

Through the survey, some students will be exempted from tuition fees, and receive support packages from the school and local authorities. For those whose parents are divorced, teachers will also be informed, in order to have closer attention and closer cooperation with the parents who are directly raising them.

However, some parents believe that students have the right to keep information about their families private. Schools should be places where all students can learn and experience equally, regardless of their background.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/giao-duc/nha-truong-gap-rac-roi-vi-tim-hieu-dieu-kien-kinh-te-cua-gia-dinh-hoc-sinh-20241112114848048.htm