Sexually discriminatory and demeaning content was included in a health education question for a midterm exam for ninth-grade students at Jincheng Junior High School in Kinmen County.
Were there no guardrails in place to prevent the inclusion of inappropriate questions in an exam for students? Why is it that the school authorities only discovered the seriousness of the issue when it was reported by parents?
Examination questions are generally provided by teachers on a rotational basis, and according to regulations, the questions would have to be vetted by another teacher specializing in the same field. If any queries had been raised in the case, were they adequately followed up? Were the test questions found to be inappropriate? Were any recommendations for revision offered? If so, did the teacher who formulated the questions take any notice?
The whole process needs to be investigated, step by step. In schools nowadays, responsibility and accountability have been transferred from administrative guidelines to a collegiate system with more autonomy given to teachers. Many academic decisions, including teacher selection, have been moved from the authority of school principals and directors to teachers and teacher groups.
Given this, who should be held accountable for this examination question fiasco? Is there a disciplinary mechanism in place for the teachers’ groups? Experience shows that colleagues tend to close ranks when something major occurs.
Responsible teachers who have been given a high degree of autonomy also need to show professionalism and keep each other in line, as well as offer encouragement. Administrators should also be given the authority to regulate the system and step in when needed.
If not, it would be difficult to meet the expectations of students and parents, and to provide an environment conducive to learning.
Chen Chi-nung is principal of Shuili Junior-High School in Nantou County.
Translated by Paul Cooper
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