China has a long tradition of respecting teachers. There is an old Chinese saying, “Once my teacher, forever my father,” which illustrates tremendous respect for mentors.

Howevere, during the Cultural Revolution (1966-1976), teachers and other educated people were ridiculed by as "Choulaojiu" –stinking ninth category.

In 1985, the 6th National People’s Congress decided to mark September 10 as Teachers Day. The festival was initiated as a reminder that teachers should be held in reverence for instilling knowledge and morals in students. It also serves as a reminder to teachers, popularly known in China as engineers of the human soul, that they need to reflect on their self-improvement in terms of knowledge and personal integrity.

The government then issued a sequence of laws to protect teachers’ rights, improve their working and living conditions. Teachers' income was raised, and primary and secondary school teachers were included in the selection of special government allowances.

Teachers Day was set in September because it's expected to create a nice environment for teachers and students at the beginning of a new semester.

This year's Teachers Day (Sept 10) happens to be during the Mid-Autumn holiday (Sept 10-12). How will teachers celebrate their holiday and how will students express their thank-you’s? A hot debate on "To gift or not" and "what gift should be presented to teachers" has started online several days before Teachers Day. What's your stance?

And at the end of this special coverage, we have a selection of teachers' stories. They are only a sample of countless devoted teachers in China. We want to take this opportunity and say, "Thank you, teachers!"

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"As the old saying goes—'civility costs nothing'. Spend some money to buy ease of heart, and it will be worthwhile." ---Immortal Cactus




"It doesn't matter how much the gifts cost as long as they show your respect for the teachers. But I advise not to send gifts, since 'all is not gold that glitters'. If your kid is brilliant, the teacher would like him/her no matter what."---Silent snowflakes




"Sending gifts to teachers is just like lighting incense for Buddha in the temple, which is useless in itself. Its effectiveness seems to depend on your 'sincerity'. Therefore, I'd rather not bother."---Xiayuhua

"Nowadays, society has been greatly affected by utilitarianism. As we know, many families compare and compete with each other in the area of children’s education, and the bribery behavior of a few can influence more to follow them. Therefore, it is not surprising that sending gifts on Teachers Day has become a common practice."---Doraemon

"For teachers, it is essential to be clear with the essence and responsibilities of their career, that is, to cultivate the children for the nation's future. For parents, it is important to realize what kind of effects on the children may result from such behavior. As a matter of fact, both parties shouldn't feel puzzled, since it is the children who should thank the teachers. Let them express their emotions in their own way. I'm sure the teachers are willing to accept such gifts with heartfelt joy." ---Liu Yonghe, director of the Nanjing Institute of Education and Research

"I can only tell you that few teachers would change their attitude to the students as a result of gifts from the parents, and no child would make great progress just because his/her parents give the teachers gifts."

                                                             --Ms. Chen

When it comes to true love, it starts with our teachers. We couldn't spell the word love or know what it means without teachers who show us how to read and use words. Often, the best gifts come straight from students' hearts, such as a hug, a smile, a thank-you, a card. Teacher Ms. Chen said "My favorite gifts are the cards in my drawer, made by the children themselves. I also ask my son to make cards for his teachers, because I know what the teachers really value."