School removes phone socket, students in China angry

According to SCMP, students at Anhui Suzhou Institute of Technology in Anhui province (eastern China) were extremely angry when all the electrical sockets in their dormitory were removed.

They protested by shouting, throwing paper and clothes on the floor, and setting some materials on fire, according to a video that went viral on social media on October 17.

Angry students threw paper and clothes on the floor and set fires in the dormitory grounds. (Photo: SCMP)

It is unclear whether the school informed students about the decision to remove the power outlets, but Guizhou TV quoted an unnamed staff member as saying the decision would remain in place.

“The electrical outlets in the dorms must be removed or students will use their phones all night long,” he said.

When asked about concerns that students would not be able to charge their phones, the staff member replied firmly: "From now on, students will not be allowed to bring phones into school. Anyone who disagrees with this rule can drop out."

The decision to remove power sockets over concerns about students playing on their phones has sparked controversy. (Photo: SCMP)

An angry letter from a student later went viral online. The letter said the student had heard that the school had decided to remove the electrical outlets because someone had been caught secretly cooking in their room.

"If this is the reason, the school's decision is understandable," the letter said, but suggested that only one person should be punished and not all the sockets in the dormitory should be removed.

According to this student, the above move will cause significant disruption to student life, such as receiving notifications about assignments or recharging meal cards.

The letter also suggested that school staff should set an example and remove power outlets in faculty offices, if the school maintains the same decision with students.

The story caused controversy on Chinese social media with many opinions supporting the school's stance.

“The school is acting responsibly for the health of its students,” said one netizen.

Another said: “The school deserves credit for its efforts to protect its students despite criticism.”

Hua Yu (Source: SCMP)

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