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On September 8, 2023, a kindergarten in Chongqing became the center of a heated debate after a seemingly innocent gesture led to the dismissal of a teacher. A student had given Ms. Wang, the kindergarten principal, a box of chocolates ahead of Teacher’s Day. When the school administration learned of the gift, they immediately terminated Ms. Wang's employment, citing a violation of educational policies.
Ms. Wang contested the decision and took the matter to court. On March 28, 2024, the Chongqing Jiulongpo District Court heard the case, which has since attracted significant public attention. Recently, the court's ruling sparked widespread discussion on social media, catapulting the topic to the top of China's trending lists.
Surveillance footage from September 8, 2023, showed Ms. Wang standing at the kindergarten entrance when a student approached her with a plastic bag containing chocolates. The two exchanged a hug. The kindergarten administration viewed this as a violation of the Ministry of Education's regulations, which prohibit teachers from accepting gifts from students or their families.
The school claimed that Ms. Wang’s actions discredited the kindergarten and affected its performance in the 2023 supervision and evaluation process. Although the board offered Ms. Wang alternative roles within the institution, she declined the offers, leading to her dismissal.
Ms. Wang's defense hinged on the simplicity of the gift - a box of chocolates costing 6.16 yuan (less than $1). Her lawyer argued that the gesture was a token of gratitude from the student and their family, without any ulterior motives. Furthermore, after receiving the chocolates, Ms. Wang had shared them with other parents and students, showing no intent to gain from the gift.
Parents, too, rallied behind Ms. Wang, expressing dissatisfaction with the school's decision during a parent-school meeting on September 16, 2023. Some parents even questioned the administration's approach, believing the reaction to be excessive.
In response, the kindergarten argued that Ms. Wang, as a principal, should have been fully aware of the strict regulations against accepting gifts. They asserted that her dismissal was not only a result of her actions but also of her refusal to acknowledge the implications of accepting gifts, regardless of the value.
The court ultimately ruled in Ms. Wang’s favor, stating that her dismissal was illegal and ordering the kindergarten to compensate her. Although the kindergarten appealed the decision, the second instance court upheld the original judgment, rejecting the appeal.
This case has stirred a wide range of opinions among netizens. One user commented, "Firing a teacher over a box of chocolates seems absurd. It was a small gift from a child, not a bribe!" Another countered, "Rules are rules. Teachers should lead by example and avoid even the appearance of impropriety." The debate continues online, with many questioning whether the school’s response was proportionate to the situation.
