The time is almost nigh. Come Sunday, Nanjing and her citizens shall all be required to practice rubbish classification as part of waste disposal. A large public information campaign has been raging in support of the incoming regulations, resulting in some rather eye-opening initiatives.
In one of the more inspired, parents of children in many of Nanjing’s kindergartens have found themselves more or less obligated to, with their children, study for and then take an online test to show sufficient knowledge of the rubbish classification regulations. A score of less than 90 percent and you could be off to see the headmaster, or worse.
Over the past few days, parents in Nanjing have been receiving persuasive notifications encouraging them to take part in the test that has been posted on class-lecturing platform, Xiao E Tong (小鹅通).
The test comprises 100 questions chosen at random from a list comprising an incredible 1,500 possibilities. The Nanjinger has acquired a copy of the entire list that runs to over 67,000 Chinese characters and trust us, you don’t want to see it.
No wonder the learning platform also includes a number of video lectures to help parents and grandparents gain the necessary knowledge.
As with other such initiatives, the overall goal is to broaden awareness as to the regulations, particularly among groups such as the elderly, who may be less exposed to online dissemination efforts.
The regulations that come into force on Sunday 1 November place the onus for rubbish classification on both the individual and institutions, especially residential communities.
A reporter for Xinhua revealed to The Nanjinger that she studied with her 6-year old son for the test, which she then failed with a score of 72. Since however, she has become more positive of the initiative and is determined to pass the test next time around, possibly as soon as this evening.
Of the punishment that faces her as a result of her dismal test score, she said, “Maybe nothing, but the shame in front of the teacher and my result posted in the parents’ WeChat group”.
Ouch.
