Back to school around the world

The students are given a special lunchbox of rice with seaweed sauce and quail eggs. This tradition is believed to bring good luck for the kids throughout their school year.

Students entering school for the first time receive their randoseru, a hard-sided leather backpack (traditionally red for girls and black for boys), which holds school supplies including origami paper.

The festivities last for a full three days! During the celebrations teachers bring their students flowers and food and use this time to encourage the children to get to known one another and make new friends.

Two hours are given for lunch every day. Students also get Wednesdays off! But they do have to do a half-day for pupils at school on Saturday.

Students begin their lessons at 7:30 and finish around 5 p.m. Besides a lunch break, the children work non-stop to achieve their academic goals.

Students study “Communist Morality” and the policies of the ruling party and its governing ideology. Their social education classes are carefully planned and controlled ensuring are not exposed to dangerous or negative influences.