It seems that every year around September 10 teachers in China are assured of a taste of "the carrot and the stick." On their "day," they get sensational headlines of two extremes, and subsequently Teachers' Day has come to serve dual functions. One publicizes the latest national policies on education and repeated vows for further reform. The other calls on the teaching community to reflect and behave.

The media espouses politically correct lines like "rejuvenating the nation through science and education," "respecting teachers and laying emphasis on education," and "pushing for educational reforms and striving for equal opportunity for all." These platitudes seem a promise to overhaul the education system or a raise of teachers' pay or status. Yet on the other hand, they vigorously propagate teacher misconduct, such as accepting gifts or bribes, child abuse, plagiarism, and the flighty, undisciplined remarks by some teachers.

Let's be clear. Misconduct is misconduct, and strong action must be taken against it. Taking bribes is absolutely wrong for any profession, and it runs counter to the fundamental values of education. Those teachers who accept bribes on Teachers' Day — or any day for that matter — should not only be harshly criticized by the public, but also should receive corresponding punishment by law or relevant discipline. Engaging in a profession whose main task is to cultivate the young, teachers should be not only qualified but possess a high standard of professional ethics, and it's altogether right and proper for the general public to place higher moral expectations on them.

However, more significant are the root causes of such misconduct. One cause is that these teachers' morality has been distorted. More profound, though, are the social causes, which consist of two aspects, the uneven distribution of educational resources and the utilitarian practices in interpersonal relations featuring "deformed" reciprocity. The former cause requires the government to reform the education system while the latter requires the general public to reshape some of our cultural traditions and social conventions. These two causes are far more complicated, and thus, it is worthwhile for us to pay more attention and launch nationwide discussions in order to find solutions.

Having recognized the root causes, it is important for us to also realize that, although some teachers, especially those with administrative power, are receiving benefits of various kinds from students' parents, the majority of Chinese teachers are living a comparatively frugal life and are devoting themselves silently and conscientiously to teaching. In some areas, especially China's vast countryside, many teachers can barely make their monthly ends meet, and they have to endure a low status within society. Even so, they persevere. Year after year, they pour their heart into kids who thirst for knowledge. For these teachers, can't we just show a little bit of mercy, if not respect?

Just because we are unhappy with the status quo of China's education is no reason for us to criticize all teachers. Similarly, just because some teachers may be getting benefits from students' parents does not mean all the teachers lack professional ethics. So when approaching controversial issues what we need most is rational, discriminative, and independent thinking, instead of the radical and indifferent ravings that prevail in today's online forums.

Every one of us has gone through some sort of education. We were once students who benefited from the efforts of a devoted teacher. So when you unleash verbal attacks at teachers on Teachers' Day, has it not ever occurred to you that, at some point in your life, there was someone by your side who helped or inspired you? What will become of a person who knows no gratitude and a nation that values no tradition of thanksgiving?

Yes, there are "bad teachers." Now, can we just stop talking about it for the time being? There will be plenty of time to resume that discussion. Let's allow teachers a moment of peace and tranquility on their day.

The author is a columnist with China.org.cn. For more information please visit: http://www.ccgp-fushun.com/opinion/node_7083461.htm