Teachers will now be held legally responsible for the safety of their students. This is according to revised regulation introduced by the Ministry of Education for elementary and middle school teachers.

The Shanghai Morning Post reported that the ministry posted the new guidelines on its website on Wednesday and sought public opinion on it.

Teachers' regulations were last revised 11 years ago. The new rules make it compulsory for teachers to protect their students, adding those who failed to fulfill the duty would fail to meet professional ethics standards.

The new clause has sparked heated debates about "coward teacher" Fan Meizhong, who left his students behind as he escaped during the May 12 quake. The teacher's behavior triggered public demands of improving teachers' professional ethics.

Vice-President of Shanghai Normal University Xiang Jiaxiang said teachers protecting their students during catastrophes is an integral part of their professional values. It highlights their selfless love for their students.

Compared to 1997, there are fewer items but more details in the new version of regulations.

For example, under the category of "loving students", the former version asked teachers to be strict with their students. But the new one says teachers should also be good friends and kind mentors for the youth.

(CRI June 27, 2008)