A controversial educator in China, Zhao, has come under fire for her punitive style of teaching that has sparked outrage on social media. Despite claiming to be a certified lecturer in home schooling by the American Positive Discipline Association, there is no record of her on the association’s website.
Zhao, a retired primary school teacher according to The Paper, has been seen in videos hitting children with rulers, smashing their toys with hammers, tearing up comic books, and installing surveillance cameras in their rooms. Her methods have been criticized as bullying and outdated by many online observers.
Officials have condemned Zhao’s educating style, stating that using violence under the pretext of home visits will only harm students physically and psychologically. The Education Bureau of Gansu province has launched an investigation into Zhao’s identity and qualifications.
In a country where “Tiger Mum” and “Wolf Dad” are terms used to describe strict parents who push their children academically, Zhao’s extreme methods have raised concerns about the impact of harsh discipline on children’s well-being. As more parents in China adopt a gentler approach to parenting, prioritizing their children’s physical and mental health, the debate over the most effective educational methods continues to evolve.