Swimming Pool Becomes Classroom to Combat Chongqing Heat

By Ryan Gandolfo, September 4, 2018

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Schools are making some downright weird ‘attempts’ at welcoming students back to school – from removing cafeteria benches to introducing kindergarteners to pole dancing (yes, you read that correctly). Today, we have another strange story from the world of Chinese education to report: ‘the swimming pool classroom.’ 

On September 1, the principal of Fuling No. 2 Middle School in Chongqing decided to relocate the desks of an all-boys class to a swimming pool – which served as the classroom on the first day of school. Conveniently, the school is located right next to a water park. 

The decision to move the youngsters to the pool was allegedly made due to the high temperatures blanketing the city. (In case you didn’t know, China just recorded its highest national average temperature since 1961 this summer).

While seated on wooden chairs in ankle-deep water, the boys were lectured on the subject of drowning prevention. One student reportedly said he “felt he learned quite a lot” on the topic. 

All the students were eventually able to toss on a pair of ‘floaties’ and hit the water. 

students-in-school.jpgScreengrab via Pear Video/Weibo

Netizens, understandably, were blown away by the thought of an outdoor, in-water learning experience. “Sunbathing for that long certainly would make your skin melt off, I wouldn’t be willing to do that,” one Weibo user wrote.

Many other commenters shared similar sentiments, leaving the phrase shai si ren, which means ‘suntanned to death.’ 

While others may disagree, we’re of the belief that a day outside the classroom is a day well spent!

READ MORE: Pole Dancers Welcome Kindergarteners Back to School in Shenzhen

[Cover image: screengrab via Pear Video/Weibo]

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