The continuous incidents of bullying in mainland China’s schools have prompted a whistleblower to share with a reporter from The Epoch Times the experience of a mother and her daughter being bullied by a teacher at a high school in Shimen County, Changde City, Hunan Province. This sheds light on the distorted education system under the Chinese Communist Party.
The informant detailed the entire incident to The Epoch Times reporter. At the request of the interviewee, pseudonyms were used for all names mentioned in the article, and the name of the school where the events took place was not disclosed. The informant stated that the purpose of exposing this incident was to show people the distorted reality of education under the Communist Party’s regime.
Mrs. Li, a returnee from overseas, and her husband decided to send their two daughters back to their hometown in Shimen County to study due to their busy work schedule in Guangxi. Feeling reassured because her older daughter, Xiaoyan, was living independently in a school apartment with her grandparents nearby, who hired a nanny to take care of the children’s daily life.
Xiaoyan, who showed independence and continuous improvement in academic performance, unexpectedly became the target of verbal abuse and exclusion by teachers during her time at school. This escalated into a conflict that led to her developing severe depression and even contemplating suicide. Mrs. Li, exhausted from continuously seeking explanations from various authorities regarding her daughter’s situation, felt isolated and helpless.
In August 2023, during a class, Xiaoyan was mocked by her math teacher who repeatedly called her derogatory names and even wrote insults on the blackboard directed at her, causing the whole class to laugh. Mrs. Li intervened and the teacher apologized to the parents. However, Xiaoyan was later transferred to a different class.
Mrs. Li, fearing further insults towards her daughter, met with the homeroom teacher before the transfer, and despite her efforts, the situation did not improve. In May and June 2024, Xiaoyan was unfairly punished by her homeroom teacher for historical knowledge during a physics study session. Despite Mrs. Li’s efforts to resolve the issue, the situation escalated, ultimately affecting Xiaoyan’s well-being.
As the bullying continued, Xiaoyan’s health deteriorated, and the emotional toll on her intensified. In September 2024, when Xiaoyan fell ill and was punished for not submitting homework due to being on sick leave, the situation worsened. Mrs. Li’s attempts to address the issue with school authorities were met with resistance and disregard for Xiaoyan’s well-being.
The conflict between Mrs. Li and the homeroom teacher escalated, leading to the teacher being replaced for violating professional ethics. The teacher’s subsequent actions fueled panic among parents, with some directing blame towards Mrs. Li and Xiaoyan.
On December 7, some parents confronted the school, and the homeroom teacher cited personal reasons for resigning. Xiaoyan, feeling the pressure within the school, confronted the teacher, resulting in a physical altercation. Mrs. Li, arriving from out of town, tried to address the situation but was met with verbal abuse from the teacher’s husband during a meeting, where she was forced to apologize.
Mrs. Li’s persistence in seeking justice for her daughter’s mistreatment by the school authorities resulted in demands to transfer Xiaoyan to another school, effectively expelling her. Mrs. Li’s complaints to the local education bureau and the provincial petition platform went unanswered, leaving the family in a state of despair.
As the situation persisted into January, videos of conflicts between Mrs. Li and the homeroom teacher’s husband were posted online, further straining Xiaoyan’s mental health. On the brink of the extreme, Xiaoyan attempted suicide but was fortunately stopped by her mother.
Xiaoyan was later diagnosed with severe depression and suicidal tendencies, forcing her into a semi-hiatus from school. Mrs. Li continued her legal battle for compensation and justice for her daughter’s suffering, but to no avail.
In the end, Mrs. Li decided to send her daughter abroad for studies, hoping to provide a healing environment away from the troubles of mainland China.
The informant’s motive in exposing this incident was to unveil the abnormal education system in mainland China that deviates from universal values. Efforts to contact the school, the county education bureau, and officials involved in handling the case were unsuccessful, indicating a lack of accountability and transparency in addressing such issues.