Joint Statement Released by Dong Zong and Jiao Zong

October 31, 2022

Formulation and Implementation of Proper Teacher Postings—

Unadvised Postings Interrupt Teaching and Administration

The unadvised teacher postings assigning Chinese subject teachers supposed to be teaching “Primary Chinese” subject in vernacular Chinese Primary school, as well as assigning national secondary school “Communication Chinese KSSM” subject teachers to conduct Chinese classes in national-type and national secondary schools was taken by Dong Zong and Jiao Zong as an administration breach and herewith they release their joint statement:

1. Dong Jiao Zong posits, it is unwise and in want of rationale to post teachers trained in higher institution of China with “Communication Chinese” major—adapting Teaching Chinese as a Second Language approach; without prior Chinese language teaching experience in vernacular Chinese primary, national-type and national secondary schools, including not taking “Chinese” in the SPM examination—to teach the Chinese subject in vernacular Chinese primary, national-type and national secondary schools. These unacceptable postings have since defied the practicability and professionalism of teaching. As informed, these teachers were vouched by the MOE to study “Communication Chinese” in China—trained in Teaching Chinese as a Second Language modality—and are later posted to teach Chinese as a subject in national-type secondary schools indiscreetly. Evidence indicates, the postings not only far exceed their competence thus stressful, but also turn the said teachers innocent victims while teaching native speakers of Chinese.

2. Dong Jiao Zong is greatly annoyed by this recurring act of posting administrators and teachers without Chinese major to vernacular Chinese primary, national-type and national secondary schools by the MOE which in reality interrupts school administration. Record shows, the MOE had ever posted vernacular Chinese primary school teachers trained in teacher training academy to teach the Chinese subject in national primary schools, which is against fundamental education spirit and unprofessional.

3. We therefore formally forward this solemn appeal to the MOE, wishing that similar blunder will not be reiterated. In addition, we also hope that Dong Jiao Zong will be invited to contribute collective views when the MOE is consummating the teacher education and posting mechanism. We strongly believe, the MOE needs to formulate and publish corrective measure by publishing written pronouncement and directives to ensure responsible execution of instructions. We are convinced, credibility can once again be regained only when disciplinary action is taken towards officials violating the mechanism and blunder redressed.