Chew gum in class, German school pupils told

LONDON - Students at a school in Germany are permitted to chew gum as “it helps the children concentrate and deal with stress”, an official said.

Wolfgang Ellegast of the education ministry said students at the Volkenschwand school were being allowed to chew gum because it is good for the children’s health and improves their cognitive performance, the Daily Telegraph reported.

School headmaster Hans Dasch while stressing that no one was being forced to chew gum said: “It helps the children concentrate and deal with stress, particularly during written tests.”

“The prerequisite for learning with fun is that kids come to school without fear and that they feel happy … Therefore, we are encouraging them to chew gum in break and in lessons,” he was quoted as saying.

Those who organised the pilot scheme said that chewing gum is good for dental health.

To check the menace of gum being stuck to the bottom of seats, each desk has a special container decorated by the students.