Public criticism of teachers withdrawn

A public notice criticizing three teachers who said to have violated regulations by purchasing vegetables from street vendors in Ninghua county, Fujian province, has been withdrawn following public outcry.

A notification of rectification was published by the county authority on Wednesday, saying that "it was inappropriate to publicly criticize the teachers" and that it will correct its work practices.

On Friday last week, the county authority published a notice criticizing three teachers who bought vegetables from street vendors, because the teachers had been asked to help rid the community of such illegal stands in public places.

The criticism of the teachers received wide public attention and triggered a heated debate online.

"Why are teachers in the crosshairs of the county authority? This is the second disciplinary notice aimed at teachers (this month). Were they being followed?" wrote a netizen called Galaxy Note 5.

Disciplinary charges against 24 teachers who drank alcohol during a meal together were dropped last week.

The teachers paid for the meal out of their own pockets and were only working a half-day in September.

The Commission for Disciplinary Inspection in the province's Changzhi city said previous disciplinary measures were improper and revoked the decision.

Most netizens said that the local anti-graft authority had made the wrong decision regarding teachers, who had not violated Party disciplines and laws.

zhang_yi@chinadaily.com.cn