The story appears on

Page A6

August 4, 2014

GET this page in PDF

Free for subscribers

View shopping cart

Related News

HomeNation

Debate as 鈥榖rave actions鈥 removed from pupil code

A CLAUSE encouraging “brave actions” has been removed from a code of conduct for school pupils, leading to debate on whether this is a sensible safety measure or encouraging cowardice.

A new draft of the code of conduct for primary and middle school students recently issued by the Ministry of Education asks students to learn how to protect themselves and to seek help in dangerous situations.

It also features safety advice on subjects including traffic, swimming and the dangers of drugs.

However, the previous version of the code of conduct also urged students to act bravely if a situation required it and to report serious criminal acts.

Some parents and web users have hailed the removal of this clause in the draft, saying a child’s priority is to protect themselves — not defend others.

But others argue that its omission goes against nurturing the spirit of mutual assistance.

“Children can be taught how to protect themselves, but the deletion of acting bravely can only produce selfish citizens,” said web user “Tonghuaizu” on the Weibo microblog platform.

Other changes in the draft include the alteration of the previous wording “love the nation and the people” to “respect the national flag and national emblem.”

The new draft also features the addition of clauses urging pupils to “lead a low-carbon life” and “actively participate in voluntary services.”

Wang Dinghua from the Ministry of Education earlier said that the revision of the code is to replace obsolete and impractical content with that which meets the needs of our times.


 

Copyright 漏 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.

娌叕缃戝畨澶 31010602000204鍙

Email this to your friend