Study Buddy (Explorer): Japan primary school with only 8 pupils enrols baby goat as student

[2] A primary school in Isa, Kagoshima Prefecture, is one such institution grappling with the challenge of filling its classes. With only eight students across six years and no new enrolments for the spring term, the school decided to take a unique and innovative approach. In a bid to inject life and joy into the campus, they welcomed an unconventional new classmate – a female baby goat.

[3] The kid, named Minami-chan by the school principal, was born at the end of last year. The father of a sixth-grade student who owns a nearby farm gave it to the school as a gift. The students have warmly embraced their new classmate, taking it out to graze and working together to build a new home for it.

[4] Initially, Minami would occasionally burst into classrooms during lessons, causing disruption and creating great amusement. Now accustomed to school life, the goat spends its days grazing, sleeping, and strolling around the campus.

[5] The school formally admitted Minami by holding a unique orientation ceremony on April 24. The event was attended by pupils, parents and local residents. At the celebration, the farmer who donated Minami carried the kid into the venue to a rapturous welcome. He then formally handed it over to the school principal. The students lined up, sang the school anthem and presented hay as a gift to Minami, who occasionally bleated in response.

[6] During his welcome speech, the principal greeted the animal entrant with goatlike sounds. A teacher acted as a “translator”, congratulating the animal on joining the school. Minami was reminded not to wander into the road.

[7] The pupils are excited about campus life with the goat: “I really want to play and take walks with her,” one said. “I’m very happy. It feels like I have gained another family member,” said another.

[8] The story, reported by NHK World-Japan and reposted in China, has also been widely read on mainland social media. “With few students and a low birth rate, bringing in animals to keep the kids from getting bored is a great idea. They could even add some dogs, cows, ducks, chickens and kittens,” one person wrote.

[9] Some online observers jokingly expressed concern about the goat’s future after graduation. “Years later, will these elementary students reunite with their four-legged classmate in a restaurant?” said one. “Does the teacher speak goat language? What are they teaching the goat to aspire to be?” someone else quipped.

Source: South China Morning Post, May 18

1. Why is the word “student” in quotes in paragraph 1?

2. Why has the school been unable to enrol new children according to paragraphs 1 and 2?

3. According to paragraph 3, Minami-chan used to belong to …
A. a farmer.
B. the local zoo.
C. a teacher.
D. another school.

4. According to paragraph 4, does Minami attend classes with the other students? Why or why not?

5. Find a word in paragraph 5 that means “loud and enthusiastic”.

6. Decide whether the following statements based on paragraphs 5 and 6 are True, False or the Information is Not Given. Fill in ONE circle only for each statement. (4 marks)
(i) Minami was given food as a welcome gift.
(ii) Minami has once been caught trying to wander into the road.
(iii) The principal welcomed Minami in Japanese.
(iv) Only students and school staff attended Minami’s orientation ceremony.

7. What does one of the pupils mentioned in paragraph 7 want to do with Minami?
A. help her find a new home
B. take her for walks
C. teach her Japanese
D. bring her home

8. What other animals could the school bring in according to one of the online commenters?
A. cows
B. chickens
C. ducks
D. all of the above

9. Who does the “four-legged classmate” in paragraph 9 refer to?

1. because the student is not a person (accept all reasonable answers)
2. because of declining birth rates and population outflow
3. A
4. No, because she grazes, sleeps and strolls around the campus.
5. kid
6. (i) T; (ii) NG; (iii) F; (iv) F
7. B
8. D
9. Minami