Photo: CCTV

In a recent case, a kindergarten principal was dismissed for “accepting” a box of chocolates worth 6 yuan ($0.85) from a student before Teacher’s Day, which falls on September 10, sparking debate as the dust settles on the incident.

The kindergarten initially classified it as “accepting gifts and money from students and parents” and dismissed the principal. 

However, the court ruled that the act should not be classified as misconduct and deemed the dismissal was illegal, according to a report by the state broadcaster CCTV on Monday.

The kindergarten principal, surnamed Wang, was dismissed by the Sanxia Kindergarten in Southwest China’s Chongqing Municipality for accepting the box of chocolate from a student ahead of the Teacher’s Day, a decision which Wang challenged in court. 

In the first court trial, the local district court in Chongqing ruled in favor of Wang, stating that the chocolate was a small gift given out of love and respect, and did not represent a violation of the rules. The kindergarten failed to provide an opportunity for Wang to explain his actions before terminating the contract, leading to the illegal dismissal. The court decision was upheld following a second trial. 

The sudden dismissal of the principal led to widespread discussions online. Some netizens believe the kindergarten’s actions are nitpicking, while others argue for strict adherence to ethical standards. 

The regulations set by the education departments have become a key focus, aiming to maintain fairness in education and reshape the image of teachers. 

Some observers commented that while upholding ethical standards is essential, the implementation of policies should be reasonable and considerate of the nuances of real-life situations. Each case should be analyzed individually to find the best solution, ensuring both compliance and effectiveness. 

CCTV-Global Times