Bian Yufang, Beijing Normal University professor and director of the Center for Research on Child and Family Education:“The conflicts between families and schools are closely related to the diminishing authority of teachers in recent years. We still need to respect teachers’ professionalism and authority. Parents can have a say on practical, life-related matters such as cafeteria food and school uniforms. However, on issues such as curriculum planning and homework assignments, there should be a clear boundary to safeguard teachers’ professional autonomy.”
Source: Guangzhou Daily
Ma Jiangbo, deputy director of the China Economic Research Center at the China National Institute of Innovation and Development Strategy:“A healthy parent-teacher relationship should ensure that teachers are not afraid to properly discipline students, while also ensuring that reasonable parental complaints are acknowledged and resolved efficiently. How to strike this balance remains a challenge for the education system as a whole.”
Source: WeChat Official Account
Qianjiang Evening News based in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province:“Families and schools should stand together as allies. The abuse of reporting can undermine mutual trust, and once trust is broken, it takes a long time to rebuild.”
Source: official website
A Fudan University instructor has been cleared of wrongdoing after a months-long dispute with a parent online raised wider questions about whether China's school complaint channels are being abused.
The case began in early March during a livestream, when Shen Yifei, education influencer and associate professor of sociology, spoke with a parent of a primary school student seeking advice over claims her child was being "bullied" at school.
After hearing the details, Shen suggested that the parent's description of minor conflicts between children as bullying was overly severe.
Her comments angered the parent, who then filed multiple complaints with Fudan University accusing Shen of "invading family privacy" and "neglecting teaching duties" due to her livestreaming work, which is not affiliated with Fudan. The complaints continued over two months.
The dispute gained wider attention after Shen posted about it on Douyin on May 16, prompting teachers to share similar experiences of what they described as excessive or unreasonable parental complaints.
"Professor Shen, what you are experiencing is exactly what countless primary and secondary school teachers have gone through," wrote a commenter who identified as a teacher. "Fudan University may support you, but we might not be so fortunate."
In an official statement released on May 22, Fudan University said Shen's remarks were "professional and objective," and did not violate any regulations. It also found that her livestreaming activities were reasonable and her comments did not constitute misconduct.
The incident has fueled ongoing debate over rising tensions in China's education system, with some netizens arguing that complaint channels are being used more aggressively by parents, placing added pressure on teachers who must defend themselves over extended periods.
Others caution that the issue is more complex, saying that legitimate complaints can be overlooked, and warning that if parents' identities are exposed after reporting concerns, their children may face unfair treatment in schools.
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