Parents condemned for bragging to earn advantage for children

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This message from a class' online chat group in a Shanghai primary school sparked a backlash from Chinese netizens on Friday:

As part of the competition for a position in class-level parents' committee, this anonymous parent first introduced her educational background: “Hi, I’m Xiaoguobao’s mom. I am working at Morgan Stanley after finishing my research at Harvard University. My husband is a funding manager.”

“I am not running the election, but I’m here to warn you, who will be in the parents' committee – DO NOT HURT MY SON. Otherwise his father can make your stocks fall.”

Even before this anonymous parent made the statement, dozens of parents had listed out their personal CV in the group. Screenshots show these parents are either from prestigious universities or working in major firms, having lots of contact with important figures.

The anonymous message was posted online on Friday. /Internet Photo

One parent in the group who did not receive higher educations indicated he has over 30 real estate properties in Shanghai.

Chinese Education Department encouraged each primary school to set up class-level parents' committees in 2012, for parents to take part in school affairs.

However, parents tend to seek privileges for their own children by taking the position. Parents thought their own personal achievements can earn advantages for their children as well.

One parent introduced herself in the chat group. /Internet Photo

“Many want to have closer relationship with school teachers and hope their children could get privileges,” said a student parent surnamed Chen. “There are tacit rules. For example, chances to attend a summer camp are first given to children whose parents are in the committee.”

It isn't just here. Parents in Hangzhou, a city in east China’s Zhejiang Province, a two-hour drive away from Shanghai, met the same situation.

Parents received a brochure about candidates' introductions. /Internet Photo

A Chinese netizen joked that this is an election for “national leader, not a parents' committee for pupils.”

Chinese netizens also condemned the behavior online, indicating educational background did not give parents a humble attitude.

“Before their children went to school, they are the ones who compared whose house is bigger and whose wedding is more elegant. I saw inferiority instead of glories,” said @tyh2020 on Weibo.

“This is not the right way for children’s education. This is an adult competition, sadly it happened in primary schools and around lovely pupils,” said @Lixingguaiwu.

“Parents’ experiences mean nothing. People envy you only when your children are the best,” said @Chengcheng on WeChat.