Bringing your own food to eat outside, what is the school afraid of-

Recently, a video circulating online showed students at Guangming School in Zhuzhou, Hunan, squatting beside flower beds or under notice boards to eat their packed lunches. When asked about this situation, the school’s logistics manager explained that the decision was made out of concern for preventing cross-infection among students. However, staff from the Shifeng District Education Bureau stated that students are free to choose whether to eat in the cafeteria or bring food from home.

The image of children huddled outside for their meals isn’t due to poor facilities but rather intentional management decisions by the school. Students who eat in the cafeteria enjoy the privilege of seated dining, while those with packed lunches are relegated to outdoor meals. This stark difference in treatment highlights a deeper issue regarding the cafeteria’s operations.

The school’s concern about cross-infection seems unfounded. Is moving students who bring their own lunches outside going to prevent them from “sharing” food in some way? What about those eating in the cafeteria—are they exempt from the risk of cross-infection? It appears that the school is using food safety as a pretext for enforcing unwarranted policies, all while feigning concern for the students’ well-being. In reality, this practice reflects a troubling indifference when it comes to such a fundamental issue as mealtime.

This issue isn’t isolated to Guangming School; similar incidents have been reported elsewhere. For instance, in September of this year, students at a school in Shenzhen were told to eat on the playground if they hadn’t pre-ordered lunch. Last year, another school in the same city had students eating outside their classrooms in the rain, under the pretext of prohibiting outside food on campus. Both institutions faced public backlash, and while the education department promised reforms, these incidents are part of a troubling pattern.

Schools are not businesses, and education should not be treated as a commercial venture. Students’ money should not be viewed as an easy target for schools to exploit. If students bringing their own meals must endure the elements while doing so, it raises serious questions about the school’s educational values.