Recently, a high school in Jingzhou, Hubei Province, has implemented a new policy that prohibits commuting students from carrying backpacks onto campus. Instead, they are required to use transparent plastic bags to carry their study materials, a decision that has sparked controversy online.
According to reports from Litchi News, a parent from Songzi No. 4 Middle School in Jingzhou recently shared a notice issued by a teacher online. The notice stated that starting the next day, all commuting students (those who do not live on campus) are prohibited from bringing backpacks into the school. Parents are advised to prepare transparent plastic bags for their children to carry the necessary study materials for the day. In the morning, the school will conduct inspections at the entrance, and any violators carrying backpacks will have them temporarily confiscated, tagged with their class and name, and can retrieve them in the evening.
The Songzi Education Bureau stated that this measure is aimed at preventing the entry of weapons and other prohibited items into the school. Due to the inconvenience of inspections and the fact that there is usually only one security guard on duty at the school gate, transparent plastic bags make it easy to see the contents directly, and any items that cannot fit can be left at the school.
The incident has stirred heated discussions online, with many netizens expressing their discontent. Some have remarked that the school’s actions are excessive. One netizen even questioned, “Does any leader or relative of a leader have a stock of unsold transparent bags at their home?”
Netizens also reflected on the situation, stating, “Behind every bizarre rule, there seems to be an unbelievable story.” Some suggested that the local customs might have issues, possibly influenced by the social security situation with too many delinquents disturbing the peace, which has affected the school, similar to what they experienced during their childhood. Others suggested alternative solutions, such as opening the backpacks for inspection or installing security scanners at the school gate, rather than banning the use of backpacks altogether. They questioned how many plastic bags a high school student would need to carry all their books.
On April 21, the Jingzhou Songzi Education Bureau’s official WeChat account released another notification in response to feedback from internet users. After investigation, it was confirmed that some individual students at the school had been bringing prohibited items onto the campus, posing a security risk. The school has been ordered to immediately rectify and reform the situation and provide criticism and education to those responsible.