Teachers Should Put Students First
"Runner Fan", nickname of Fan Meizhong,
who ran out of the classroom leaving his students
behind during the May 12 earthquake, has caused a
controversy concerning traditional Chinese values. Many people
regard his action as wrong and a direct violation of teachers'
responsibility and I would have to agree with them.
Firstly, it is the responsibility of a teacher to protect
his students' safety by law. Being concerned solely fol his
own life and leaving his students behind while fleeing violates
the spirit of the law. In an emergency, each teacher is responsible
for the direct supervision of his students. Furthermore, it will be of
great help if they can direct the evacuation of their students
to designated assembly areas in accordance with warning
signals and written notification. It is out of the question that they
should not remain with their students until rescue crews arrive.
Secondly, teachers act as a role model for their students.
The Compulsory Education Law does stipulate that “a teacher
should be a model of virtue for others and should be devoted to the
education of the people." Teachers not only teach students how to
think, but also how to behave to support others in society. Fleeing the
classroom and leaving the students behind in an emergency sets a
bad example for students.To conclude, teachers are responsible
for students' safety in an emergency. Teachers are expected to
demonstrate responsible behaviour and they ought to be
specifically trained to deal with emergency situations.
