Wu Yue, a 14-year-old student at a Junior High School in Hangzhou, usually has lunch with his classmates in their dining hall. But one day, a newcomer, the school headmaster, joined them at the same table. They talked about the food that the dining hall offered and had a nice chat.
Wu is not alone. Many students across China have the chance to eat with their headmasters. The government issued a notice on food safety and nutrition (营养) management in schools, asking headmasters from kindergarten to high school to have meals with students. The rule took effect(生效) on April 1st.
Many schools now have seats for school managers when they eat with students in the dining hall. After talking with them, the managers have to write reports and make suggestions to dining hall workers. Many students were asked about the food that they liked most. To their surprise, their favorite dishes appeared in the dining hall later. "It's not just about the food. It makes me feel that I have a say in school," explained one student. "My ideas are valued."
Some headmasters regard these mealtime conversations as their main chance to communicate with students. And they notice that some students prefer meat to vegetables. "We are thinking about how to improve the dining hall's dishes and provide students with a healthy diet," one headmaster said. As students become more familiar with the school managers, they begin to express their own points of view.
"It's important to understand students' requirements. Our practice shows the school's sense of responsibility," another headmaster said.
