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A recent video of kindergarten parents taking a collective oath has ignited a heated debate on Chinese social media. The footage, which went viral, shows dozens of parents standing in a classroom with their right hands over their hearts, solemnly swearing not to ask teachers in parent chat groups to give their children water or change their clothes, and not to blame teachers if their children get minor injuries.
The oath-taking ceremony took place during a new student orientation at Hanlin Kindergarten in Yuncheng, Shanxi Province. The school intended to use this activity as a means of communication with parents, aiming to reduce unnecessary requests in chat groups and alleviate teachers' workload. However, this approach has sparked widespread discussion and controversy online.
Netizens are divided on the issue. Some view it as a well-intentioned effort by the kindergarten to address common concerns, while others criticize it as meaningless or even harsh. One supportive comment reads, "It's a creative way to set expectations and promote understanding between parents and teachers." In contrast, a critic argues, "This oath seems to shift too much responsibility onto parents and away from the school's duties."
Responding to the backlash, Ms. Wang, the kindergarten's director, stated that she personally recorded and posted the video but removed it after noticing the controversy. She explained that the intention behind the oath was to help parents understand the kindergarten's operations better. "We didn't anticipate such a strong reaction," Wang said.
She further clarified that the school organizes multiple water breaks for children throughout the day, making it unnecessary for parents to constantly remind teachers in chat groups. "This approach aims to reduce teachers' stress and reassure parents," Wang added.
The incident has sparked a broader discussion about parent-teacher communication and expectations in early childhood education. While some see the oath as an innovative approach to managing parent-teacher relationships, others worry it may discourage necessary communication or unfairly limit parents' involvement in their children's care.
