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Underpaid teacher calls out principal

A substitute teacher who recently announced that she has not received a raise in seven years sparked online debate over the country's current human resources system.

Li Ying, who has taught for 29 years at Luqiao Central Primary School in Sanyuan county, Shaanxi Province, posted online January 7 that she has been paid 540 yuan ($89.32) a month since 2007.

The 48-year-old woman explained she was hired by the county Human Resources and Social Security Bureau in 1997 as a full-time teacher. However despite her college degree and awards, she has not seen a pay increase. She points out that teachers who were hired after her earn 3,000 yuan a month.

Li Zemin, the school's principal, explained Li Ying is only a kindergarten aid and, despite her work performance, not a registered teacher.

"She is really a good teacher. She loves her work and pays little attention to her salary," said a Net user from Guangdong Province.

Net user Chuannongrenyaokaidanchedian said, "In 2004, my cousin was a substitute teacher and his salary was really low."

Chezaichelushi said that though Li is not registered she is entitled to minimum wage. "Though she might not bring up labor issues, the local education bureau should think about it."