In Japan, a 60-year-old teacher was dismissed from his position after it was discovered that he had been working part-time at a local supermarket near his home. The teacher had taken the job to earn extra income during his free time without neglecting his teaching duties.
The incident came to light when a customer filed a complaint with the education department. The school principal personally visited the store, witnessed the teacher working, and deemed his actions inappropriate for someone in the education sector.
Although the teacher had not missed any lessons and fulfilled his responsibilities diligently, he was fired from his job. Furthermore, he was required to issue a formal apology to both parents and students — a move that sparked public criticism.
Experts note that in Japan, side jobs are generally frowned upon for public sector employees. Authorities believe that additional work can lead to exhaustion and reduced performance in one’s main role. Thus, strict professional standards are enforced, especially in schools.
Nevertheless, many social media users expressed sympathy for the teacher, calling his firing excessive. They praised his work ethic and willingness to support himself honorably, arguing that modern realities often require multiple sources of income.
This case has triggered debate about the definition of professional ethics and whether educators should be permitted to take on part-time jobs without being penalized.
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