Parents largely supportive of disciplining kids at school

An online survey initiated by China Youth Daily last week showed 74.3 percent of parents of primary or secondary school children were supportive of a draft regulation which allows teachers to discipline students when necessary.

The regulation, issued by the Ministry of Education last month to solicit public opinions, gives middle and elementary school teachers the right to criticize and exert proper punishment on students who violate school discipline, social order, laws and rules, as well as those who cause chaos or disrupt the lesson.

68.2 percent of respondents thought it commonplace that middle and elementary school teachers dare not punish students, even though some may have violated class rules or behaved improperly.

The survey showed the most accepted punishments were oral criticism, student self-criticism or standing up from seats, while the least accepted were verbal insults, spanking and beating of palms.

As to why teachers do not presently punish students, 68.6 percent thought it may be largely owed to the fact school punishment has been stigmatized and parents no longer trust teachers.

53.5 percent of respondents believed the teacher’s role as an educator has, to some extent, been ignored compared to their role as lecturer.

Another reason widely believed to be true was punishment as a way of educating is less acceptable, as people begin to value more positive reinforcement, such as verbal praise.

78.1 percent of 2,005 respondents were parents of primary and middle school kids. 30.1 percent were from first-tier cities, 41.3 percent from second-tier cities and 23.0 percent from third or fourth-tier cities. Those from small towns or rural areas accounted for 5.2 percent and 0.3 percent, respectively.