China hospitals set up ‘homework zones’ for sick students amid respiratory infections outbreak

In the wake of a severe outbreak of respiratory diseases in China, hospitals have set up “homework zones” for primary and secondary students who have been admitted. The move has become the subject of a heated debate on social media.

According to the South China Morning Post (SCMP), recent pictures of students doing their homework while on a drip have gone viral on social media. In some areas including the eastern provinces of Jiangsu and Anhui, and central Hubei province, young patients have been provided with desks, chairs and a high infusion frame for them to study.

Parents were also seen helping their children during the time, the report stated. The designated zones were set up as primary and secondary students complained of respiratory infections like the flu. It is common for mainland parents to take their children to a hospital because they believe that a drip will speed up the recovery process, SCMP mentioned.

“I did not intend to let my kid do homework here. But seeing that the studying atmosphere is so good in the hospital, I pushed my kid to do his homework too,” a parent said.

“My kid had to do his homework this way because if he did not finish it, he would have to do a lot more when he returns to school after he recovers,” a father added.

“This is a societal issue. We ordinary families cannot change the unwritten rule that whatever the circumstances, you need to complete your homework,” he quoted further.

The situation sparked a debated on Chinese social media, Duoyin. “These kids may be physically ill, but these adults are mentally ill,” a user wrote.

Another user commented, “The parents look relieved and pleased when seeing their kids doing homework. It seems this worries them more than the actual physical illness.”

Some people also called it “inhumane”. “Opening a homework zone at hospitals is an inhumane idea.”

A user questioned, “I feel heartache for these students who have to study despite not feeling well. Are the students’ academic scores more important than their health?”

An opinion published on November 23 in state media CCTV called the arrangement understandable but also something that should not be advocated.

“Forcing or inducing their children to study at hospitals is designed to erase parental anxiety about children not studying,” CCTV said.

“Children should not be the victims of this unreasonable practice of doing homework at hospitals. Their schedule should not be filled tightly. Allowing them to have a rest when being sick, cry when feeling sad, or just do nothing for a while is as vital as passing the university entrance exam,” it added.

Meanwhile, on November 25, the Beijing municipal education authority said that schools should make it clear that it is not compulsory for students to do homework while they are sick.

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