Preschool boys massage and wash girls' feet on October 20

Parents at Binh Minh Kindergarten in Hoang Mai District, Hanoi , were upset with the teacher who organized for boys to massage the girls' heads and wash their feet.

This morning, a parent posted on a group with more than 66,000 members, saying that "the girls in my child's class took off their clothes and wrapped themselves in towels like they were at a spa so that the boys could massage their heads." This person said that this activity was offensive to both boys and girls and "wondered how to give the teacher feedback without offending her."

"I find it unnecessary and quite revealing for girls. The activity of washing the girls' feet is unacceptable (the girl wrapped in a towel sits while the boy washes her feet below)," the parent wrote.

Many parents disagree with the above "weird" and "useless" activity, saying that the concept of "sex education is problematic". Others question the logic of this massage with the rule that "children must be taught not to touch each other's bodies".

Ms. Nguyen Thi Lan Phuong, Vice Principal of Binh Minh Kindergarten, confirmed this morning that there was an activity for boyfriends and girlfriends to experience in a series of activities celebrating Vietnamese Women's Day at the school that took place yesterday.

"That activity took place in the middle school class," said Ms. Phuong.

The school received complaints from parents that the girls were undressing and wrapping towels around their bodies. A school representative said that the girls were actually wearing pants or skirts underneath. When wrapping the towels, the teachers wrapped them up high so that the children could experience a spa-like experience.

Girls get their heads massaged by their boyfriends during an experience activity on October 20 at Binh Minh Kindergarten, Hoang Mai District, Hanoi, on October 19. Photo: Provided by the school — Girls get their heads massaged by their boyfriends during an experience activity on October 20 at Binh Minh Kindergarten, Hoang Mai District, Hanoi, on October 19. Photo: *Provided by the school*

According to Ms. Phuong, at each age, the teachers will choose a different form for the children to experience, for example, the older children will make postcards, invite their mothers to attend to give them hand massages, while the kindergarten class will make bracelets to give to relatives. The activities are organized with the purpose of helping children experience and express their feelings.

This year, before organizing the event, the teachers discussed with the parents. The parents also cooperated, some even lent them things. Ms. Phuong said that the views of the parents were different, so some people might feel uncomfortable.

"After this time, the school learned from experience, thoroughly understood and disciplined teachers to avoid causing such incidents. The teachers were sincere in organizing for the students but it was ineffective," said Ms. Phuong.

Binh Minh Kindergarten was established in 2003, with 23 teachers. This year, the school enrolls 144 students, with 9 classes including 2 nursery classes and 7 kindergarten classes.

Dawn

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