Recently, a recruitment announcement from Yuhua Primary School in the Wanbailin District of Taiyuan City, Shanxi Province, stirred controversy as it called for “follow-up teachers” to be recruited from the public. This initiative, which promises no salary and requires individuals to cover their own living expenses, has ignited heated discussions online.
According to the circulating recruitment information, Yuhua Primary School is seeking follow-up teachers for internship positions across various subjects including Chinese, Mathematics, English, Science, Music, Physical Education, and Art.
Candidates must possess a bachelor’s degree or higher from a full-time conventional college, hold a teaching qualification certificate for elementary education or higher, and their field of application must align with both the subject of the teaching qualification and their university major. Candidates must also provide their undergraduate diploma, degree certificate, teaching qualification certificate, and a level II A Mandarin proficiency certificate or higher.
What has raised eyebrows is the section detailing “treatment and guarantees.” The announcement states that while the school provides follow-up positions and educational resources, the positions are “unpaid.” Candidates are required to adhere to the school’s management regulations during their follow-up period, and while the school can arrange for in-school lunch breaks, candidates must manage their own accommodations and meals.
The job responsibilities listed in the recruitment announcement include participation in lesson preparation, attending classes, lesson practice, teaching trials, assignment grading, class management, after-school services, and organization of campus activities among other educational tasks.
On November 5, a staff member from the school explained to a reporter that follow-up personnel would not need to teach classes but instead would shadow teachers and participate in school activities. If any positions become available in the future, they may sign a labor dispatch contract which would then come with employment benefits. The timeline for transitioning to a dispatched labor role will depend on the school’s actual needs. The aim of this initiative is to create a reserve of teaching staff, allowing teachers to become familiar with the school while the school learns about the teachers for possible future recruitment.
Furthermore, a recruitment officer from the school emphasized that they are looking for follow-up teachers, not formal teachers, as the primary goal is to provide candidates with learning opportunities and a teaching platform. The follow-up assessment period is expected to last about one semester, after which successful candidates may sign contracts with a third-party labor dispatch company. Even after signing, these individuals would still be classified as labor dispatch personnel rather than formal teachers; to secure a formal teaching position, they would need to pass a standardized examination.
Regarding compensation, the officer indicated that once contracted, individuals could expect to earn around 1,900 yuan per month, with social insurance provided, but no housing fund. Since the school does not provide food or lodging for follow-up teachers, most applicants are residents of the area. The school mentioned that some individuals have already started their follow-up roles and advised prospective applicants to think carefully before applying.
On November 5, several related topics surged to the top of Weibo’s trending searches.
A middle school mathematics teacher, known for sharing insights on their social media, commented, “Under the guise of gaining experience, they are letting certified teachers work for free. This rationale sounds eerily familiar. Some parents of university students might see this as a golden opportunity, believing that gaining a foothold in a school for practice is a win, and they might even think they’d need to pay for such a chance. Yet, experience cannot be eaten; everyone needs to live, with expenses for rent and groceries. Building a reserve of teachers should not rest on unpaid labor; opportunity and fair compensation should never be mutually exclusive.”
An online user with the handle “Lin Chenyang – Qimen Yili” remarked, “The era of paying to work has arrived.” Another commenter, under the name “Residence Under the Flower Tree,” added, “The absurdity of subsidizing work has reached the education sector.” Yet another user, “Yuanyuan’s Field Circle,” questioned, “Is it really acceptable to demand so much: to get horses to run without providing grass?”
In light of public outcry, a staff member from the Labor Arbitration Agency in Wanbailin District responded to inquiries from reporters, stating that the requirement for unpaid recruitment does not comply with legal standards. They emphasized that regardless of a teacher’s probationary status, schools are required by law to provide labor compensation. “Regardless of ability, if labor is provided, payment is due. If a person’s capability is insufficient, they might not be hired, but they should not work for free,” the officer asserted.
The staff member continued, “Clearly, having no compensation is incorrect. This school is a public institution, and we will immediately contact the Education Bureau to address any illegal or irregular practices.”
Notably, this school had previously issued similar recruitment announcements in June and September of this year, at which time they also sought “follow-up intern teachers,” stating that they would be “reserve positions.”