Guo Xing, an unofficially employed teacher in Weixian county, Hebei province, since 1991 has failed to get full-time official employment because local officials regard his 1.2-meter height "harmful to the image of Weixian county's teachers". One fails to understand why the county officials are mistreating the devoted teacher with 20 years' teaching experience just because he is not tall enough, says an article on scol.com.cn. Excerpts:

Some officials may doubt the efficiency of Guo Xing as a teacher, but he has bagged the Top 10 Excellent Youth award in Weixian county and lots of other prizes during his 20 years as a teacher. This proves that Guo is outstanding in ethics and teaching experience both.

In addition, parents whose children attend the school he teaches in have unanimously praised him as a good teacher.

The facilities in the school where Guo teaches are rather wanting. Under such circumstances, the "physically challenged" substitute teacher has shouldered more than his responsibilities as a teacher and headmaster. And thanks to helpful villagers and thoughtful students, Guo has led a normal life.

Compared with teachers who run after money and care a fig about professional ethics, Guo is beyond doubt an excellent teacher. Hence, the local officials' decision can be interpreted only as an official excuse to "seek gifts" from Guo to make him a regular teacher.

A teacher's image is made up of more than his/her personal appearance. What society needs are teachers with high professional ethics, discretion and responsibility. Only by meeting such criteria can a teacher be considered good.

Besides, whether or not a teacher is good at his/her job should be decided by parents, students and society, rather than officials.

(China Daily 09/14/2011 page17)