Headmaster suspended after pupils forced to kneel down
CRI, May 16, 2015
A photo showing about 30 students forced to kneel down on the ground sparked outrage among Chinese Internet users. [Photo: news.xinhuanet.com]
The vice headmaster of a primary school in Anren county, in central China's Hunan province, has been suspended after a picture showing students kneeling on the playground went viral on Chinese social media, leading to netizens accusing school administrators of abuse.
The local education authority verified the authenticity of the image, adding that the school's vice headmaster, Zhang Qiong, has been suspended and will issue an apology to the students' parents.
According to the authority, the incident took place at noon on May 13th when some boys were fighting during break time. Zhang later called the boys to the playground and forced them to kneel down.
The authority says steps will be taken to prevent mockery, discrimination, and all forms of physical punishment against students.
