Fujian province is promoting a system accessing the performance of teachers in a stricter manner.

Teachers in middle schools, primary schools, vocational schools and kindergartens will have to re-register themselves for the teaching qualification at local education bureaus every five years, according to an announcement by the Fujian Provincial Education Department on Oct 16.

Anyone who fails an overall evaluation by their schools two years in a row, or is deemed to be in serious violation of their work ethics in a five-year window, will have their teaching certification revoked, said the announcement.

The move means the occupation of teacher is no longer an equivalent to an “iron bowl” which refers to a lifelong secured job in China.

The mechanism is being piloted in some cities of the province in the fourth quarter.