Teachers are no strangers to surprises in their classrooms, but one teacher in Spain was left stunned when she found €1900 in cash on her desk, accompanied by a letter from two of her students. The story quickly went viral, leaving the internet divided over the students’ intentions and the teacher’s reaction.
A Shocking Gift
It all began when María Jesús, a teacher from Spain, entered her classroom to find a bundle of 50-euro bills neatly laid out on one of her desks. The total amount? A whopping €1900 in cash. The money was accompanied by a letter signed by two of her students. Intrigued, María Jesús posted a photo of the bills on her social media with the caption: “My job is wonderful. Coming into class and finding this from two students.”
The post quickly gained attention, amassing over 3 million views and 24,000 likes. But the reactions were mixed. While many were shocked, some wondered if the bills were even real. Others speculated that the students might have printed fake money as a prank.
The Reason Behind the Gift
So why would two students leave such a generous gift for their teacher? It turns out the money was meant as a bribe—the students hoped it would convince María Jesús to add an extra point to their final grades. One of the students had written in the letter: “Dear María Jesús, in support of your proposal to raise our grades by one point, we offer you this package of €1900.”
The reactions to the students’ gesture were, as expected, divided. Many on social media were appalled, with one user commenting, “Wonderful? These students deserve a serious correction for trying to bribe a teacher. This kind of behavior is unacceptable and definitely not something to encourage.”
Others, however, saw the situation differently. Some praised the students, saying, “These girls clearly understand how the world works. They will succeed in whatever they do.” It was clear that the situation was raising questions about the lengths students are willing to go to in order to secure better grades.
The Growing Issue of Bribery in Education
While bribery in education may seem extreme, it’s not a new issue. In some parts of the world, students have long attempted to influence their grades through gifts or other forms of flattery. And this case serves as a reminder of how the desire for academic success can lead to questionable actions.
In fact, sociologist Pierre Merle has suggested that students often strategize their way to better grades by manipulating teachers’ perceptions. According to Merle, submitting your paper in the first third of the grading pile can improve your chances of receiving a higher mark, as the teacher is less likely to compare it to others. Additionally, teachers may be more inclined to award better grades to students who are perceived as hardworking, regardless of the actual quality of their work.
While such strategies may be more subtle than outright bribery, they point to a larger issue in education: how much of academic success is truly based on merit, and how much depends on the perception of effort or even external influence?
The Teacher’s Response
As for the teacher, María Jesús, her response to the situation has not been fully revealed, but one thing is clear: the students’ bribe didn’t go unnoticed. It highlights a growing conversation about the ethics of grading and what should be considered fair when it comes to evaluating student performance. Should students feel the need to resort to such extreme measures to get ahead, or is there a broader systemic issue that needs to be addressed?
This story, while amusing to some, raises important questions about integrity in education. As society continues to evolve, so too does the pressure on students to excel, sometimes at any cost. Whether through hard work, strategic positioning, or, as in this case, bribery, students are constantly looking for ways to gain an edge. The real question remains: what does this say about the system, and how can we ensure that grades truly reflect a student’s ability and effort, not their ability to manipulate the system?
