Bureaucrats should not twist school ethics

Students of a middle school in Yulin, the Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, perform physical exercises in the rain for local inspection officials who sheltered under umbrellas. [Photo/IC]

A middle school in Yulin, the Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, required its students to demonstrate their physical exercises for local inspection officials on Saturday even though it was raining. The officials sheltered under umbrellas as they watched the soggy students. Comments:

Such typical bureaucratism, if allowed to make easy inroads into a middle school such as the one in Yulin, gives a cold and distorted educational idea to students. Thus both the school and the inspection officials should be investigated with regard to their style of working.

Chang'an Pucun, a guest commentator with nen.com.cn, March 17

The disease of excessive bureaucratism can only be cured when the harm it does is widely known and condemned by all. Moreover, public servants at all levels should resist its siren call, and genuinely serve the public as they are supposed to. In the case of Yulin, neither the school nor the local authorities should offer silly excuses for their misdeeds. A sincere apology is owed to the students.

Lei Ruoyu, a guest commentator with cjn.cn, March 17

To get rid of similar bureaucratic unfairness, some stereotype hierarchical differences should as be rooted out for good. Those with such an outdated mentality should receive due punishments, which can also serve as a stern warning for other potential wannabes. For schools, social justice is what they are supposed to teach, instead of indoctrinating students with improper social hierarchy.

Meng Xiankun, a guest commentator with jxnews.com.cn, March 17