Futian kindergarten 'hires' cat as headmaster

A cat has been “hired” as the headmaster of a kindergarten in Futian District, Southern Metropolis Daily reported.

The cat is now a superstar at Caitian Kindergarten — it has its own “office” and “mailbox.” Its portrait has also been posted at corners of the kindergarten.

Kindergarten students talk to their cat “headmaster.” Xu Songlong, Huang Shihui

The story began almost two years ago when a wandering kitten entered the kindergarten one January morning in 2021.

The teachers discovered the kitten in poor health, and they took care of it. After the kitten fully recovered, the teachers wondered about the next step – should they set the kitten out or not?

It was a tough decision for many people, as both teachers and students became attached to the kitten.

A vote was held for the kindergarteners to decide on the kitten’s fate. Most of them wanted it to stay and some even suggested to “hire” it as a headmaster.

The students’ suggestion inspired the teachers to follow their wishes and “appoint” the kitten as an “honorary headmaster.”

Thus, a grand “inauguration” was held to usher in the kitten’s new “duty.” The kitten also got a new name – “Xiaocai.”

Xiaocai has a busy schedule every day, meeting its fans and receiving letters. Some little fans were also surprised to receive “replies” from the “headmaster” when they shared their secrets with it.

“The interaction process between the cat and the children has a subtle educational function,” said Qiu Ling, a teacher at the kindergarten. Qiu majored in education and graduated from Columbia University in 2020. She said “hiring” the cat as the “headmaster” is beneficial.

“Most children growing up in the city show symptoms of ‘nature deficit disorder.’ Being close to animals and nature is one way to address this disorder,” Qiu explained.

Art teachers Sun Manli and Chen Chao also designed many posters for the cat.

“The cat not only brings fun to the kids, but also teaches them about love and respect,” Sun said.

“In the eyes of both the children and teachers, it is a good ‘headmaster,’” the teacher said.