News stories about students attacking teachers are commonplace these days. In most cases, the students receive only light punishment and the matter is dropped. In a middle school in Guangdong, a PE teacher became involved in a dispute with a student who was talking in class and ignoring his instructions. When the angry teacher pulled the student out of the class, the two began fighting. Some students followed them out, ostensibly to separate them, but then sneakily pushed the teacher to the ground and started kicking him.

Some teachers say the changes in teacher-student relationships began after the market economy was introduced into the education system. These days, students are seen as consumers of education. A large chunk of school expenses and teachers' salaries are paid from tuition fees. The teacher-student relationship has been tainted by money. Students no longer respect teachers because they believe they are buying a service and should be looked after like paying customers.

In one Shanghai middle school where most students end up at top universities, a student shouted at his teacher in class, "How much do you earn a month? Even my pocket money is more than that. You are a total loser. How dare you criticize me?"

According to Jiang Hui, a teacher at Tangshan No. 1 Middle School in northern China, students are more lively and independent today, but in the old days young people were not docile either. Society and parents have changed, and teachers can't be expected to solve all the resulting problems.

Nonetheless, many say teachers still abuse their classroom power and need to change. Even on academic issues teachers are not unchallengeable authorities. But this does not mean teachers do not deserve respect. Teachers and students should respect each other. Otherwise, the out-of-balance teacher-student relationship could develop into a major social problem.