Chinese school likened to 'cell block' after pupils jump to their deaths
Bars placed on windows and balconies at campus in Hebei province after two children killed themselves in recent months
A middle school in northern China has been likened to prison block after bars were installed on windows and balconies to deter pupils from jumping to their deaths, according to a newspaper report.
The security measures have been taken at Hengshui No. 2 Middle School in Hebei province and were prompted after two pupils killed themselves jumping, apparently due to the pressure they felt to succeed academically, the Beijing Times reported.
One died in October last year and the other last month, the report said.
The school is well known for the high percentage of pupils who are admitted to China’s top universities and has a reputation for academic excellence, according to the newspaper.
A teacher from the school, who was not named, told the paper that it had put up bars for pupils safety.
To try to lighten the atmosphere in the building the school has trailed spider plants around the bars to soften their outline.