High school forces students to eat lunch standing up

Finding the right place to sit in the cafeteria on the first day of school can be tough.

For students at a Central Province high school, however, it’s a whole different problem.

The school in Suixian, Henan Province sparked discussions online after students began the semester to find no chairs in the cafeteria, requiring students to have their meals while standing.

Video from the Suixian, Henan Province school shows students having lunch on their feet at rows of high tables – without a seat in sight.

“I don’t know where they went,” a student surnamed Li told Pear Video. “All the benches were already gone on the first day of school.”

According to school staff, the new rule aims to improve time efficiency.

“The next step is to assign each student a designated place to eat. Generally speaking, it should take 10 minutes for a meal,” a school employee said.

However, it seems students weren’t informed, leaving them to guess as to the reason.

“I heard we got this idea from Hengshui,” said student Li.

Also in Henan, Hengshui Middle School is known for its military-like rules regarding everything from haircuts to nap times – and producing high scorers on the gaokao, or national college entrance exam.

However, it seems even students at the prestigious school have a place to sit. “Sorry, we have benches to sit on in our cafeteria,” a Hengshui student posted on Pear Video.

Some on social media weren’t surprised by the rule. “It’s the same at my high school, nothing to fuss about,” commented user “AMW.”

Others reminded that what’s good for the students is also good for the principal.

“Then the principal should also stand and eat. It will help him improve his work efficiency,” wrote user “Doudoudou.”