Teachers face stricter ethics rules in Shenzhen

Teachers may face getting a negative assessment if they commit any one of 13 behaviors listed on a draft of a new personnel ethics file system, which is now soliciting public opinion, in Shenzhen city, South China's Guangdong province. 

The new system for primary and middle school teachers' moral performance features a "one-ballot veto" evaluation system. Those who are found committing any one of the listed 13 misconducts, which includes insulting, discriminating, physically punishing and sexually harassing students, will get disqualified results in the ethics assessment.

All disqualified teachers will be put on a "gray list" and will receive a warning as well as help to improve their behavior. Those who are found to have serious violations against ethics, regulations and the law, will be put on a "black list" and will be removed from the teaching position or even dismissed.

However, some teachers doubt the system's effectiveness in improving the professional ethics of teachers. Raising the social and economic status of teachers is also essential for improving their performance, according to Tian Guobao, a middle school teacher in Shenzhen.