A special education institute in eastern China that targets “problematic” teenagers has sparked controversy for allowing its students to carry toy dolls throughout the school day as part of gratitude lessons.

Yuanzhong Special Education School, located in Xuzhou, Jiangsu province, accepts adolescent students who exhibit rebellious behaviour, lack motivation for studying, are addicted to online games, or display a fiery temper and early dating tendencies.

Recently, videos of students carrying toy dolls on their backs during classes and nestling them in their arms during lunch have gone viral on social media, according to the Huashang News.

“You only truly understand your parents when you raise a child. From today, every student at Yuanzhong School must care for their own ‘baby.’ You will need to manage the baby’s eating, sleeping, and nighttime needs for an entire week,” wrote a teacher from the school on social media.

In another viral clip, students are shown squatting and walking while supporting their dolls, which weigh 2.5kg, to simulate the experience of parents teaching toddlers to walk.

“My legs felt numb after walking for 1 km this way. Now I understand the hardships my parents endure,” commented an unnamed student featured in the report.

The school’s principal, who is known by the surname Du, explained that since their students are generally rebellious, the institution aims to implement gratitude education through unique methods.

“We encourage them to experience caring for a ‘baby’ and to understand the difficulties a mother faces during pregnancy,” Du stated.