A kindergarten school in south-east China has come under fire after it organised a pole dancing performance to welcome its students after the summer holidays. Xinshahui Kindergarten school in Shenzhen invited both parents and children at the welcoming ceremony, where a woman was dancing around a pole placed in the courtyard of the school.
Horrified parents took their anger to social media and posted footage of the pole dance. Some of them are even planning to withdraw their children from the school and get their fees back. American writer Michael Standaert too was present at the school with his wife and children. Taking to the Twitter, he wrote:
“Who would think this is a good idea? We’re trying to pull the kids out of the school and get our tuition back. They wouldn’t give us the number of the company that owns the school, but looking into that.”
Who would think this is a good idea? We’re trying to pull the kids out of the school and get our tuition back. They wouldn’t give us the number of the company that owns the school, but looking into that. pic.twitter.com/vEdIhuq774
— Michael Standaert (@mstandaert) September 3, 2018
“The principal hung up on my wife when she called after saying it was ‘international and good exercise’ … OK, yeah for adults maybe, but not 3- to 6-year-old kids,” he added.
The principal hung up on my wife when she called after saying it was “international and good exercise” … okay, yeah for adults maybe, but not 3-6 year old kids. pic.twitter.com/OAw8S5ihzX
— Michael Standaert (@mstandaert) September 3, 2018
Describing the incident, The Washington Post has reported that there was a stage on the courtyard and in front rows children aged three to six were standing. Some boys ‘were seen laughing while girls were standing frozen’, before parents started taking their children away.
Not just the performance, but the school compound also had the advertisements for pole dancing around the courtyard.
And they also had a bunch of adverts out for a pole dancing school. The gals in the videos, except for the first one, were not the principal. pic.twitter.com/xj56WegTxG
— Michael Standaert (@mstandaert) September 3, 2018
After the videos went viral, the Bao’an district educational bureau called the pole dance “inappropriate.” According to a report on BBC website, official broadcaster CCTV has announced that the local Bao’an Education Bureau has instructed the school to apologise and has asked to dismiss the headmistress. They have also asked to carry out an investigation.
Lai Rong, the principal of the kindergarten, has also issued an apology, saying “inviting professional dancers to the kindergarten to perform for the parents would liven up the mood”. She further added, “I did not think through the content of the performance … It was a very terrible viewing experience for the kids and the parents. For that, I sincerely apologize.”
The video has gone viral and parents from all around the world are shocked. Check out some of the reactions here:
Yhey banned Winnie the Pooh and Doramon but this ok?
— yoshida shoin (@yoshidashoin1) September 3, 2018
You’d also have to ask what the hell the girl dancing was thinking bustin’ sexy moves in front of kids. It’s not an exercise routine pole dance; it’s a girly bar pole dance (a mate told me. Honest)
— Andrew Mountford (@mumphLT) September 4, 2018
Insane ! Private schools in Asia are a big business. Be aware.
— IBreathForArt (@IBreathForArt) September 3, 2018
That’s not appropriate for young children! I would be mad and take my kids out if there instantly!! What a dumb teacher!
— Shelley (@Shelley75939387) September 3, 2018
even as a Chinese, i’m shocked daily by my fellow countrymen’ stupidity and schizophrenia
— moviejunkie (@moviejunkie) September 3, 2018
