Recently, Mr. Wang, a parent, accused that his 14-year-old daughter Xiao Ling (pseudonym) was physically punished at the Kezheng Character Education School in Langchengang Town, Zhongmou County, Henan Province. He claimed that his daughter was even ordered by a female instructor to strip naked and crawl on the ground, and that she remains unconscious to this day.
According to a report by the “Xiaoxiang Morning News” on September 2nd, Mr. Wang mentioned that his daughter was sent to the school to study traditional Chinese culture and receive psychological counseling due to her rebellious behavior. However, she was subjected to such abuse during her time at the school that he only learned about it after she was hospitalized. “She is still unconscious. She is confused and cannot see.”
Mr. Wang revealed, “There are physical training activities at the school, and his daughter couldn’t bear it. She was dragged by school instructors under the scorching sun in a state of physical exhaustion. Additionally, they tied his daughter’s hair to a pillar and beat her head. Her classmates informed me that the female instructor even made his daughter strip naked and crawl on the ground.”
Mr. Wang stated that the school does not allow parents to contact their children. In photos sent by the teachers, his daughter appeared to be in good condition. His wife requested to visit their daughter but was denied. She also suggested using a video call to check on her, but this was also rejected.
On June 27th, they sent their daughter to the Kezheng Character Education School, and she was hospitalized later. By then, his daughter had been at the school for two months. “On August 27th, my daughter was covered in bruises. She asked me if I had received the three letters she wrote to me, to which I said no. I only then realized that they intercepted her cry for help.”
“Midway through, my daughter briefly woke up, and the police conducted an investigation. However, after she woke up, she couldn’t see and was confused.” He disclosed that currently, his daughter is receiving treatment in Zhengzhou and remains in a coma.
The involved Kezheng Character Education Development Base advertised online as specializing in various activities such as psychological counseling, military experience, traditional Chinese culture painting, and labor experience to create a comprehensive “Hongzhi Camp.” It focuses on experiential education management, offering team series courses, mental health courses, experiential training, and adventure education.
Currently, the local police and education authorities are investigating. According to “Jiupai News,” staff from the Education Bureau of Zhongmou County stated that the implicated organization has been shut down, receiving a “cease operation notice.”
This incident has sparked heated debates online.
One netizen commented, “Last year, my daughter participated in a 7-day character-building physical training program organized by the school, which was paid. On the last day, she was kicked by an instructor. The next day, she complained of pain in her buttocks. After a medical examination, it was found that she had a fractured coccyx. The school was afraid of us making a scene and threatening that our child still had to attend school. In the end, nothing happened, and the abusive instructor faced no consequences. It’s heartbreaking. My child now strongly dislikes anything related to the military because the instructor was a retired serviceman.”
“During their rebellious teenage years, what children need is love and company from their parents, genuine communication, not being sent to mysterious organizations for physical punishment and abuse. Even if they come back seemingly obedient, do you want a child who is suppressed, slow to react, and emotionally traumatized?”
“Are the parents paying someone else to discipline their child because they can’t do it themselves? What are these parents thinking? This so-called militarized management of character education is no different from those schools aimed at overcoming internet addictions in the past, resembling a prison-like model. The fundamental solution is spending quality time with children, not just restricting phone use, but also having fun, travelling, eating out, and providing family education!”
“Rebellious children should never be sent to closed training centers! Parents cannot evade responsibility. If parents fail to provide proper education, how can these organizations succeed? Most likely through harsh measures, but education is not about beating and scolding to solve problems; problems cannot be resolved by such means!”