A woman in China failed to qualify as a teacher because she was perceived to be too short for the role.
The issue highlights wider problems in China’s education system, where not enough attention is given to essential performance indicators. There is also growing concern over how the country selects and screens professionals working with children.
Height requirements exist for individuals seeking teaching qualifications in many Chinese provinces. In the woman’s province of Shaanxi, men must be over 155cm and women, over 150cm. Those wanting to teach at a nursery can apply for special accreditation if they are a minimum of 145cm.
Standing at 140cm, the English-language major was told just months before her university graduation this year that she would not be receiving the full teaching qualifications.
“In four years [at Shaanxi Normal University], no one has noticed that the teacher qualification certificate has a height limit,” she told Shaanxi News. “My dreams of becoming a teacher have been shattered.”
The university has not responded to the criticism but many other provinces across the country have similar rules. The authorities state that it is in the students’ interest because teachers need to be tall enough to reach blackboards.
Netizens have heavily criticised the practice, calling it discriminatory, with many saying “morality” and “talent” should be valued more than trivial things like height.
Related stories:
Hiring teachers may soon become easier
Would you hire a hearing-impaired teacher?