Recently, Chinese schools have once again reported cases of improper or even illegal handling internally, shocking society.
The Malaysian Parents and Teachers Association (Parents' Association) pointed out that despite the victimized students actively seeking help from the school and requesting assistance in reporting to the police, the school chose to downplay the issue. Not only did they fail to follow proper procedures, but they also condemned and pressured the victims, attempting to cover up the truth.
In a statement on Thursday, the Parents' Association stated that such incidents are not isolated cases in Chinese schools. Over the years, the Association has continuously received complaints from parents and students involving bullying, sexual harassment, corporal punishment, teacher misconduct, and resource misuse, reflecting that some Chinese schools tend to suppress voices and cover up facts when facing internal scandals, rather than handling them legally and pursuing justice.
The Parents' Association criticized that some school authorities not only fail to assist the victims but also use statements like “don’t ruin the school’s reputation” or “it’s not easy for our predecessors to establish Chinese education” to morally coerce victims, causing them to feel guilty and ashamed, ultimately choosing silence, allowing the perpetrators to remain at large.
“Most ironically, when we expose problems and try to restore the truth, some members of the Chinese community, without questioning right or wrong, accuse whistleblowers of ‘slandering Chinese education.’ But we must sternly ask: Is it exposing problems that damages Chinese education, or is covering up mistakes and ignoring the law truly destroying the foundation of Chinese education?”
The Parents' Association believes these incidents are not isolated cases, nor can they be summed up by the “Kuan Rou issue.”
According to the cases known by the Parents' Association, a vice-principal of a Chinese school has allegedly molested students for years, with victims coming forward in the wake of the “#MeToo” movement to accuse him; another teacher allegedly molested students during bathroom trips; after a teacher corporal punished students, the school not only failed to punish the perpetrator but condemned the victimized students and their parents, attempting to calm the situation under the guise of “maintaining the school's reputation.”
“In these incidents, how many perpetrators have been held legally accountable? How many victims have received the protection and justice they deserve? The answer is disheartening—very few.”
The Parents' Association criticized that some Chinese schools have become fortresses of power for personal gain, wearing the banner of “Chinese education” while trampling on legal and moral boundaries. “Using ‘Chinese education is not easy’ as a carte blanche not only fails to protect education but also undermines the authentic spirit of Chinese education, which deserves respect.”
The Parents' Association emphasized that those who truly care about Chinese education should bravely face mistakes and protect student rights, instead of helping cover up the truth and emboldening perpetrators. The core of education should be ‘people,’ ‘justice,’ and ‘integrity,’ not empty slogans and false honors.
“We urge all who care about education to no longer remain silent in the face of systemic cover-ups and indifference, and to jointly protect the safety and dignity of students, creating a truly healthy and just learning environment for future generations.”