Campaign targets school bullying

China has launched a nationwide campaign to address key issues such as campus bullying and excessive homework in basic education.

A circular made public by the Ministry of Education on Tuesday said the campaign will continue until the end of this year and will focus on regulating and rectifying problems related to safety breaches, disorder in daily management and faculty misconduct.

The circular also included a list of 12 negative practices in basic education. They include encroachment on students' scheduled 10-minute breaks, tolerating bullying behavior, and compulsory education institutions organizing exams with the intention of selecting students.

Other prohibited activities include concealing or mishandling significant accidents, discriminating against students from vulnerable groups, subjecting students to corporal punishment and engaging in unauthorized fee charging.

The Ministry of Education has instructed local authorities to refine the negative list, conduct self-inspections and implement corrective measures.

The authorities will advance the campaign by conducting research in various localities, appointing inspectors to supervise schools and providing professional guidance.

To ensure effective enforcement, a supervision and exposure mechanism and a reputation evaluation system will be established during the campaign.

China is home to nearly 500,000 primary and middle schools and kindergartens, with over 16 million teachers and 230 million students. Its education system faces disparities in urban-rural and regional development, leading to significant variations in school management standards in different areas.

Shi Zhongying, head of the Institute of Education at Tsinghua University, said the 12 prohibited behaviors outlined in the circular are not new requirements, but rather a reminder of the minimum standards. The objective is to raise awareness and ensure that school faculty uphold and adhere to those standards.

The campaign will have a positive impact on improving the governance of basic education and optimizing the overall education ecosystem, Shi said.

Xinhua