In recent days, a primary school in Huaibei City, Anhui Province, announced its plan to purchase sports shoes for students at a uniform price of 600 yuan to prevent students from comparing and competing with each other. This decision has sparked dissatisfaction among the public and parents. A teacher expressed that the school’s approach was excessive. The news was a hot search on Baidu on May 9.
On May 7, some parents of students posted a video online about a survey conducted by Huaibei City’s Capitol Experimental Primary School titled “To Eliminate Students’ Comparative Mentality, School Plans to Purchase 600 Yuan Sports Shoes.”
The video showed that the Capitol Experimental Primary School distributed a survey form to parents, seeking their opinions on the school’s proposal to purchase 600 yuan sports shoes for students to prevent comparison and ensure their foot health, similar to school uniforms. The cost would be borne by parents. The survey form asked parents to provide their opinions.
The video revealed a stamped survey form, where the content stated that to eliminate students’ comparative mentality and ensure their foot health, it was recommended that schools organize parents to collectively purchase campus health sports shoes for students at a price of around 600 yuan per pair. Parents were asked to give their opinions, with the first option being in support and the second option being against it, along with reasons for not supporting it.
Upon the video’s release, it immediately triggered widespread public outcry, with the majority expressing dissatisfaction and opposition towards the proposal.
A mainland Chinese Weibo user identified as a teacher commented on May 8, saying: “The school is writing on the survey form that uniform footwear at this price is to eliminate the comparative mentality. How does this make sense? If the price on the form for uniform purchase was 60 yuan per pair, it could indeed eliminate the comparative mentality. Everyone wearing the same inexpensive shoes would prevent children from competing in buying branded or trendy shoes. But now, at 600 yuan per pair, some economically challenged families would feel immense pressure. How can this eliminate the comparative mentality?”
Online users shared their views on the matter, with some questioning the school’s intentions.
User “Dan Yan” remarked: “Buying a pair of sports shoes for 600 yuan is not considered comparison? And it eliminates children’s comparative mentality?”
User “Yi Zhi” said: “This school is too bold. With 600 yuan, you can buy two discounted pairs of Nike or Adidas.”
User “Shan” believed: “This school wants attention. Most families are average, and children can wear shoes around 200 yuan, 600 yuan is clearly too high and unrealistic.”
User “ZZ” also commented: “Even as a teacher, I can’t stand this. It’s too expensive, and such teachers are just like puppets, following orders from above.”
Some online users questioned the school’s motives.
User “Gu You Rou Han G” expressed: “600 yuan, how much kickback is involved, must be more than half!”
“Struggling Middle-aged at the Bottom” said: “The saddest ones are always the parents, truly, from electric bikes to food, then shoes, school uniforms, and what else is waiting for parents ahead…”
This controversial decision by the school has sparked widespread discussion and criticism among the public and parents, questioning the rationale behind such a hefty expenditure on sports shoes for students.