(File photo)

While most teachers in China are enjoying their biannual super-long paid holiday, a notification forbidding them to upload travel-related posts on social media has been widely circulated on Weibo and WeChat in recent days.

“Dear teachers, please do not upload any travel-related pictures, videos, or comments online, effective immediately. There is nothing wrong with travelling during holidays. However, as many professions do not have paid holidays, too many recreational posts could arouse displeasure. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation,” said the circulated message from an unknown source.

Many netizens have criticized the unreasonable restriction. “We are the role model at the bottom of the social ladder, shouldering great social responsibilities,” a netizen named Wang Zhenning, an unknown Chinese teacher, said sarcastically. “Holiday is personal time, and nobody has the right to interfere with it!” said another netizen. However, some netizens believed it was meant to protect the teachers. “No different than persuading people to stop flaunting their wealth on social media for their own safety,” said a netizen.

On Aug. 17, the Beijing Municipal Education Commission, the alleged source of the notification, refuted the rumor as false. “The commission has never issued such a notification,” said a post on its official Weibo account.