Summary of Key Points
This news article highlights the current difficulties faced by primary and secondary school teachers, who are frequently subjected to false reports: over 94% of the reports are unsubstantiated, and the reasons for these reports are often absurd (such as changing a dress or not responding promptly to a message can lead to a report). Schools tend to adopt a "let bygones be bygones" approach, which puts a great deal of psychological pressure on teachers (with depression and anxiety rates far exceeding the average). As a result, teachers become cautious in their interactions with students and may even choose to adopt a passive stance. Even more troubling is the emergence of a gray market involving malicious reporting, where services such as ghostwriting reports or selling report templates are offered for profit. However, policy measures have begun (with stricter penalties for malicious reports), but it is also essential for parents and society to change the misconception that education is merely a service and to restore the respect and trust that teachers deserve.
1. False Reports Have Become the Norm
How serious is the situation of teachers being reported? The data speaks for itself: in 2025, the Ministry of Education's platform received 83,000 reports involving teachers, a 23% increase from the previous year; in one southwestern education bureau, only 7 out of 128 reports in the first eight months were substantiated (an unsubstantiated rate of 94.5%). The reasons for these reports are sometimes hilarious and frustrating: a teacher who changes into a new dress may be criticized for inappropriate attire, or a teacher who does not respond promptly after school may be labeled as irresponsible. Even praising one student over another can lead to a report of favoritism. A case like娜ナ's is particularly heartbreaking—after 20 years of teaching, she was falsely accused of scolding a child and had to stop teaching to provide clarification and cooperate with the investigation, only to emerge unscathed but with lasting psychological trauma.
2. False Reports Force Teachers to Adopt a Passive Attitude
The consequences of being reported are twofold for teachers: they waste time and energy on writing explanations and dealing with repeated investigations, and they suffer from psychological harm (for example,欣华, who was falsely accused of physical abuse, experiences nausea at the mention of reports and requires therapy). In the long run, this leads to a defensive teaching approach. Teachers no longer actively mediate conflicts between students; instead, they simply ask parents to handle them. As @絮絮叨叨y, a teacher nearing retirement, puts it, "If you are too lenient, it's ineffective; if you are too strict, you risk being blamed. Every word and criticism must be carefully weighed." The situation is so severe that 39% of teachers nationwide exhibit signs of depression or anxiety, with 57.8% in Henan Province experiencing anxiety and 17.8% at risk of depression. When teachers live in constant fear, it is the children who suffer—the result is a system where "teachers on their knees cannot teach students to stand on their own."
3. A Gray Market Exists for Malicious Reports
What's more infuriating is that malicious reporting has turned into a business: online services offer "professional report consulting," including templates, ghostwritten reports, and phone calls for a fee of 3,000-5,000 yuan, with a 20% commission taken after the teacher receives compensation. These services encourage parents to escalate minor issues (a push is called bullying, a few words of criticism are considered an insult, and a light touch is deemed physical abuse). This market thrives because the cost of reporting is low (anonymity is sufficient), and the burden of proof lies with the teacher (who must prove their innocence). Schools often settle disputes by paying to avoid further trouble. Some parents even profit from this, demanding large sums for minor issues. This reflects a broader issue: many parents treat education as a service, believing that they have paid for it and therefore deserve immediate satisfaction. However, education is not like a delivery service; teachers are not customer service representatives.
4. Good News: Policies Are Being Implemented to Protect Teachers, but Changing Attitudes Is Crucial
There is reason for hope: in 2025, the Ministry of Education announced plans to clarify false reports and crack down on behaviors that slander teachers. During the 2026 Two Sessions, representatives proposed stricter penalties for malicious reports against educators. Some suggest adopting practices from Hong Kong, where parents should contact the school administration instead of directly addressing teachers to reduce conflicts. However, policies alone are not enough; society and parents must also change their mindset. Education is a collaborative process between teachers and parents. Teachers are not perfect, but their dedication is inherent—just like @絮絮叨той, who continues to care for her students even as she approaches retirement.
In conclusion, the restoration of the educational ecosystem requires the efforts of everyone: more trust from parents, more support from schools, and more understanding from society. Only then can teachers teach with peace of mind, and children can grow up healthily.