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A teacher in Shanghai has come under intense scrutiny after distributing a controversial questionnaire that ranked students' family status, sparking a social media storm. The questionnaire, which was part of a survey conducted at Shanghai Longming Secondary School, asked students to rank their families based on financial status and occupation. It featured a ladder graphic with levels ranging from "indecent and lowest-paid jobs" to "higher-level education and better jobs."
The question raised eyebrows, with many questioning the motive behind such an inquiry. One online observer asked, “Why does the school need to investigate a student’s family status? To treat them accordingly?”
On November 6, the Minhang district Education Bureau, which oversees the school, issued a statement confirming that the survey was distributed by an intern from a university without the school’s approval. The bureau emphasized that such practices were banned in schools to avoid controversy and had instructed the school to address the issue. The intern was dismissed, and the school was urged to issue an apology to the students and their families.
Despite the backlash, some parents admitted that family background surveys, while not as blunt, are common in many Chinese schools. One parent shared that their child was asked to provide details about their parents' professions and place of residence, suggesting that such inquiries are sometimes carried out in a less direct manner. Others expressed concerns over privacy violations, with one parent noting, "We never wrote down our real professions when the school asked."
Source: SCMP
