A protest held by students of a high school in Taiwan demanding “allowed delivery food” ended with a victory in 19 days. Taiwanese media heavily reported the students’ protest, which became a hot topic on social media, calling it a “lunch uprising.”
According to Taiwan’s China Times, Taipei’s Zhongshan Girls’ High School held a meal management committee on the 19th and decided to allow all outside delivery food from the 30th. It will make preparations in advance by installing outside food storage boxes and information signs for delivery drivers to leave delivery food. Students and parents decided to volunteer to prevent traffic congestion.
It has been since the 1st that the students of Jungsan Girls’ High School have launched a “lunch uprising.” All “boosting” is to gather in front of the principal’s office, eat lunch boxes, and post them on social media, demanding full permission of delivery food. However, as the students’ sincerity to find the rights was conveyed, netizens continued to cheer.
It was the poor environment of the cafeteria on campus that sparked the protest. Many students lined up to eat hot food, but many were unable to eat because it was crowded and sold for only 30 minutes. It was also complaining that the price of the menu increased by up to 10 dollars per item recently, and the lack of menu items itself was not enough. Orders for delivery food from outside were allowed only once a month. Schools only gave students who showed excellent classroom cleanliness and academic achievement to place additional orders. Students criticized that blocking orders for delivery food is an “exclusive” act that limits lunch options. Some parents are also sympathetic, saying that high school students who are under heavy academic stress should not skip meals.
On the third day of protest among students, the principal met with students and promised to take appropriate measures in line with changing environment. After gathering opinions from students, parents, and teachers, the results were announced on Tuesday, with 90.2 percent of students, 68.4 percent of teachers, and 71.1 percent of parents supporting the full approval. The meal management committee convened on Wednesday passed the full approval 16 to 2.
The school will announce the list of excellent restaurants certified by the Health Bureau for food hygiene and ask parents to guide their children to choose safe food. The issue of waste disposal in delivery food will be discussed at the second meal management committee in December.
When the full acceptance of delivery food was decided, students cheered by posting on their social media accounts, such as “Successful meal service,” “Great job, comrades,” and “Congratulations on the success of the revolution.” An alumnus left a praise message, saying, “Even my seniors did something they couldn’t do.”
SALLY LEE
US ASIA JOURNAL
